The Murgia is a karst plateau between Puglia and Basilicata, covering the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani and part of the province of Matera. One of the symbols of the area is Alberobello, the town of the trulli.
WHAT TO SEE: the Alta Murgia National Park, the old town of Matera with its Sassi, Frederick II's castle at Castel del Monte, the rock churches of Gravina in Puglia, and the town of Altamura with its cathedral.
LOCAL SPECIALITIES: Altamura bread, orecchiette with turnip tops, cheeses such as pecorino, cured meats such as Martina Franca capocollo, and traditional sweets such as cartellate.
WINES: Primitivo di Gioia del Colle, Nero di Troia, and white wines such as Verdeca.
THINGS TO DO: excursions in the Alta Murgia National Park, visits to the Sassi of Matera and the rock churches, trekking on scenic trails, tastings of wine and local products at the masserie (fortified farms), and traditional events and food festivals.