Altamura and Matera: a journey through thousand-year history, flavours and the Living Nativity

Three days between the city of Frederick II, the Sassi di Matera and the landscapes of the Alta Murgia

Experience a journey between Puglia and Basilicata, staying in the heart of Altamura and discovering its thousand-year history, its gastronomic specialities, the Living Nativity of Matera and the extraordinary karst landscapes of the Alta Murgia.

Experience offered during the Christmas period, coinciding with the Living Nativity of Matera. Expected duration: 3 days and 2 nights. Dates indicated in the programme: from Friday 3 to Sunday 5 January, year to be confirmed. Availability and final dates must be verified according to the official calendar of the Living Nativity of Matera.

Programme of the Altamura and Matera experience

Day 1: arrival in Altamura
Accommodation at Hotel San Nicola
Welcome inside the 18th-century noble palace
Short introductory walk in the historic centre
Route among alleys, squares, claustri and strictule
Account of the re-founding of Altamura commissioned by Frederick II
Introduction to the history and traditions of the city
Dinner in a restaurant in the historic centre
Tasting of dishes and specialities of Murgia cuisine
Overnight stay at Hotel San Nicola
Day 2: breakfast at the hotel
Guided walk in the historic centre of Altamura
Visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Observation of the façade and the 14th-century portal
Visit to the interior of the Cathedral
Visit to the Diocesan Museum in the medieval matronea
Gastronomic walk among the shops of the historic centre
Tasting or discovery of Pane di Altamura DOP
Tasting of Altamura focaccia
Tasting of cheeses and dairy products of the Murgia
Tasting of the Tetta della Monaca
Possible tasting of the Amaro Padre Peppe
Free time to buy typical products
Departure in the afternoon for Matera
Arrival in the Sassi districts
Visit to the Living Nativity of Matera
Route among settings, performers and scenes of the Nativity
Return to Altamura
Dinner in a typical venue
Overnight stay at Hotel San Nicola
Day 3: breakfast at the hotel
Departure for the Lamalunga Visitor Centre
Multimedia route dedicated to the Man of Altamura
Viewing of the video or the 3D reconstruction
Account of the discovery of the Altamura Neanderthal
In-depth look at the Lamalunga karst cave
Continuation towards the Pulo di Altamura
Panoramic visit of the great karst sinkhole
Introduction to the geology and landscape of the Alta Murgia
Concluding lunch in a typical restaurant or at a masseria
Tasting of local dishes and products
Conclusion of the experience and departure

Experiences and services included in the programme

Two overnight stays at Hotel San Nicola
Accommodation in the historic centre of Altamura
Breakfast, if provided by the selected rate
Introductory walk in the historic centre
Guided cultural tour of Altamura
Route among claustri and strictule
Visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Visit to the Diocesan Museum
Walk dedicated to local gastronomic specialities
Possible tastings of Pane di Altamura DOP
Possible tastings of focaccia and baked products
Possible tastings of Murgia cheeses
Tasting of the Tetta della Monaca
Possible tasting of the Amaro Padre Peppe
Afternoon excursion to Matera
Access or visit to the Living Nativity, if included in the confirmed formula
Visit to the Lamalunga Visitor Centre
Multimedia experience dedicated to the Man of Altamura
Panoramic visit to the Pulo di Altamura
Two dinners in typical venues, if included in the quote
Concluding lunch in a restaurant or masseria, if included in the quote
Possibility to buy local gastronomic products

Useful information

Overall duration: 3 days and 2 nights
Main locations: Altamura, Matera, Lamalunga and Pulo di Altamura
Accommodation provided at Hotel San Nicola
Room type subject to availability
Hotel board to be specified in the quote
Minimum number of participants to be defined
Maximum number of participants to be agreed according to transport and availability
Package price: on request
The final fee varies according to the number of participants
The final fee varies according to the type of rooms
The programme is available exclusively on reservation
The dates must be confirmed according to the official calendar of the Living Nativity
The three-day programme requires the indication of three consecutive dates
The initial wording "3-4 January" must be corrected to "3-5 January", unless the programme is modified
The day of the week must be verified according to the chosen year
Access to the Living Nativity is subject to ticket availability
The Living Nativity ticket must be expressly indicated among the included or excluded services
Any bookings with an assigned time slot must be respected
Admission to the Cathedral and the Diocesan Museum is subject to opening hours
Visits to religious buildings may vary during celebrations
Diocesan Museum tickets must be indicated separately
Admission to the Lamalunga Visitor Centre must be booked in advance
The visit does not include physical access to the cave containing the find, unless otherwise officially communicated
The visit to the Pulo di Altamura may depend on weather conditions
The route to the Pulo may feature natural and uneven terrain
Comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the winter season are recommended
Outdoor activities may be modified in case of bad weather
The Altamura-Matera transfer must be specified in the quote
The transfer to Lamalunga and the Pulo must be specified in the quote
Participants may use their own vehicles or request organised transport
Any authorised transport service has an additional cost, unless explicitly included
Meals must be clearly indicated as included or excluded
Beverages during meals must be specified in the quote
Gastronomic tastings must be agreed in advance
Tastings may vary according to the timing and availability of the activities
Purchases of typical products are at the participants' expense
Any allergies, intolerances or dietary needs must be communicated in advance
The Amaro Padre Peppe is served exclusively to participants of legal age
For minors a non-alcoholic beverage may be provided
The language of the guided tours must be requested at the time of booking
Payment and cancellation conditions are communicated in the quote
The order of the activities may be modified for organisational needs
The final programme is communicated before arrival