Minervino Murge

Minervino Murge is in the largest wildlife reserve in the south of Italy and located at 429 meters above sea level in the middle of Murge.
It is called "the Apulia balcony". Its very old origins merge with the myth. According to it, some Roman soldiers who escaped the Battle of Canne found refuge and love among the shepherds lived in upland near an altar dedicated to Minerva. The weddings were celebrated next to the altar. Here the houses were built, so they were the first core of Minervino community. It took this name from Minerva, the goddesses protected the territory.

Minervino Murge - Panorama

Archeology tells a much older story. It seems the first settlements dates back to the 2nd millennium BC and whereas the period of greater splendor was that Medieval. It lives again in Scesciola alleyways. FAI suggests them in the circuit of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
The Medieval village name stems from Arabic and means “labyrinth” by the maze of alleyways cross. Its houses in local stone and architecture remember much more the centuries when the village was under Norman rule.

Alleyway of Scesciola

Absolutely not to miss the descent of 100 steps into the cave of Saint Michael - where there was the altar dedicated to Minerva in antiquity – and the visit to the lighthouse at the center of the Public Garden – you can admire a breathtaking panorama from its loggia, from Vulture to Gargano.

The cave of Saint Michael

Free entry, the reservations can be made at Pro Loco
Via Dante Alighieri, 69, 76013 Minervino Murge BT