The city of Gravina in Puglia, with its strategic location and its rich historical heritage, boasts a thousand-year history that has its roots in the Paleolithic. Archaeological evidence suggests that the area was inhabited in ancient times, thanks to the presence of waterways and natural resources that favored human settlements. The most significant remains date back to the Neolithic, dating back to about 5950 BC, found in the Casa S. Paolo and Ciccotto areas.
The canyon is the result of millennia of erosion by watercourses, which have created deep inlets in the territory. The stream that crosses the Gravina has always represented a vital resource for local inhabitants, acting as the fulcrum around which the city took shape and developed.
The original settlement, known as Sidion, dates back to the Neolithic Age and was located on the Petra Magna (or Botromagno) hill, right in front of today's Gravina. With the arrival of the Greeks, Sidion established itself as an important center, so much so that it minted its own coins. With the expansion of the Roman Empire, the city took the name of Silvium and became a military station along the Via Appia, essential for supplying troops on the move. However, the city suffered a series of calamities, including an earthquake in 455 AD and the invasion of the Vandals led by Genseric, which marked its end.
After the destruction, the inhabitants of Silvium found refuge in the caves of the Gravina ravine, transforming them into homes. Some of these spaces are still visible today, with niches and water tanks that bear witness to the life of these ancient populations, who had known the splendor of the Greek and Roman civilizations.
One of the most fascinating experiences to live in Gravina is the visit to the numerous rock sites, which exceed eighty units. Among these, the churches and sanctuaries carved into the tuff stand out, such as the crypt of San Vito Vecchio, the sanctuary of the Madonna della Stella and the church of San Michele delle grotte, the latter located in the Fondovico district and considered the mother church of the refugees.
An elegant aqueduct bridge, built at the end of the 17th century, connects the two sides of the Gravina and was used to transport water into the city. Although the bridge collapsed due to an earthquake in 1722, it was later rebuilt by the Orsini. Crossing the bridge, you can reach the medieval bastion, the only remnant of the ancient walls that protected the city from numerous sieges over the centuries.
Continuing along a cobbled street, you reach the historic center of Gravina, characterized by fascinating architecture and a maze of alleys. Here, the Palazzo Ducale Orsini in Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most significant monuments, a testimony to the power of the Orsini family, who ruled the city for five centuries.
Other historic buildings include the Palazzo Vescovile di Gravina, dating back to the 9th century and rebuilt in the 16th century, and the Biblioteca Finya, the oldest in Puglia, located in Piazza Notar Domenico. The city is also home to several museums, including the Museo e Biblioteca della Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi, the Museo Civico Archeologico, and the Museo della Civiltà Contadina.
The Gravina Cathedral, built in 1065 and rebuilt after the earthquake of 1456, is worth a visit for its works of art and its fascinating history. Other historic churches, such as those dedicated to Santa Sofia, San Nicola and San Francesco, further enrich the religious heritage of the city.
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