Discover Massafra: Holiday Apartments and Rock Churches

Massafra combines ravines, rock churches and cave spaces with walking tours through the present-day city. The city and its ravines bring together natural landscapes and cultural sites.

Holiday Apartment in Massafra: Nature, Rock Churches and Walking Tours

The Gravina di San Marco separates the borgo from the medieval city of Massafra. From Ponte La Liscia, you can see the rock settlement of Santa Marina. Santa Marina comprises natural and man-made caves arranged on several levels. Between the bridge, the city and the cave spaces arranged on several levels, the view alternates between open vistas and different rock formations.

Rock Churches and Sanctuaries

There are around 30 rock churches in the Massafra area, also regarded as Byzantine churches, which are of considerable artistic and architectural interest. The rock church of Madonna della Buona Nuova dates from the 7th century. The rock church of della Candelora dates from the 12th century. The Sanctuary of Madonna della Scala was opened for worship in 1737.

The Gravina della Madonna della Scala

The Gravina della Madonna della Scala is almost 4 kilometres long, around 40 metres deep and 30 to 50 metres wide. It is home to around 600 plant species, including many rare species. Le Grotte Parlanti is a freely accessible outdoor site in the area of the ravine. Alongside the rock churches and cave spaces, the plant life here adds another distinct aspect.

Walking Tours with Different Focuses

Le Grotte Parlanti is also a circular walking route that begins and ends on Via Laliscia. The tour The Secrets of the Rural Landscape includes a guided visit to the rock church of San Simine in Pantaleo. The tour Massafra Casket of the rock churches is a walking tour through the present-day city of Massafra to some of the most important rock churches in the area, located in the ravines, and leads visitors to the discovery of hidden treasures. The three walking tours have different focuses: landscape, individual rock churches, and the city and its ravines.

The Urban Tour leads through the narrow streets of Massafra. Along the way, it conveys stories and traditions as well as the customs and habits of the local population. The Grotta del Mago Greguro is accessible via a Baroque outdoor staircase with 127 steps and consists of a complex of twelve interconnected rooms. The Urban Tour therefore focuses on present-day Massafra and its inherited everyday customs.

Tradition and Local Life

The Carnevale di Massafra reached its 73rd edition. It is considered a historic, traditional event of cultural and tourist significance, as well as one of the most important events of the year.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

For further trip planning, you can also compare Castellaneta, Avetrana, Grottaglie, Librari, San Marzano di San Giuseppe, Lizzano, Ginosa and Monacizzo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Taranto.