Altamura and the Putignano Carnival: history, traditions and flavours of Puglia
Three days between the city of Frederick II, the Man of Altamura and one of the oldest carnivals in Europe
Enjoy an authentic experience in the heart of Puglia: stay in the historic centre of Altamura, discover the city of Frederick II and let yourself be swept up by the colours, the music and the spectacular papier-mâché floats of the Putignano Carnival.
Experience available on the occasion of the Putignano Carnival 2026 parades: Sunday 1 February 2026, Saturday 7 February 2026, Sunday 15 February 2026, Tuesday 17 February 2026. The programme is subject to the availability of the Hotel San Nicola, the guides, the tourist services and the Carnival events.
Programme of the three-day experience
- Day 1: arrival and check-in at the Hotel San Nicola in the historic centre of Altamura
- Guided walk through the alleyways, squares, cloisters and ancient strictule of Altamura
- The story of the city's refounding commissioned by Frederick II of Swabia
- Visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
- Observation of the façade and the fourteenth-century portal of the Cathedral
- Visit to the interior of the Cathedral and its artistic treasures
- Visit to the Diocesan Museum housed in the medieval matronea
- Evening gastronomic experience in a restaurant in the historic centre
- Day 2: breakfast and departure for Putignano
- The story of the origins and traditions of the Putignano Carnival
- Walk through the historic centre during the festive atmosphere of the Carnival
- Participation in one of the days dedicated to the parades
- Observation of the great allegorical floats made of papier-mâché
- Free time for lunch and to enjoy typical local dishes
- Return to Altamura and overnight stay at the Hotel San Nicola
- Day 3: visit to Palazzo Baldassarre
- 3D multimedia experience dedicated to the Man of Altamura
- The story of the discovery of the Neanderthal skeleton dating back about 150,000 years
- Walk through the historic centre dedicated to Altamura's gastronomic excellences
- Opportunity to buy typical products and local specialities
- Conclusion of the experience and departure
Experiences and activities planned during the stay
- Stay at the Hotel San Nicola, in an eighteenth-century noble palace
- Visit to the historic centre of Altamura
- Route through cloisters, strictule and Frederician sites
- Visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
- Visit to the Diocesan Museum of Altamura
- Gastronomic experience in a restaurant in the historic centre
- Day excursion to Putignano
- Participation in the atmosphere and events of the Putignano Carnival
- Visit to Palazzo Baldassarre
- Multimedia experience dedicated to the Man of Altamura
- Food and wine walk among the specialities of the Alta Murgia
- Opportunity to taste or buy Pane di Altamura DOP
- Opportunity to taste Altamura focaccia and dairy products of the Murgia
- Opportunity to discover the Tetta della Monaca and the Amaro Padre Peppe
Useful information
- Duration of the experience: 3 days and 2 nights
- Main locations: Altamura and Putignano
- Accommodation planned at the Hotel San Nicola in Altamura
- The programme may be modified according to the timing of the parades and events
- The dates are linked to the calendar of the Putignano Carnival 2026
- Participation is subject to room availability
- The room type must be confirmed at the time of booking
- The number of nights, the board arrangement and the meals included must be specified in the quote
- Entrances to Palazzo Baldassarre and the Diocesan Museum must be confirmed in the quote
- Any tickets for grandstands, reserved areas or Carnival events must be confirmed separately
- The transfer between Altamura and Putignano must be specified in the quote
- Free lunch in Putignano is not to be considered included unless otherwise stated
- Purchases of gastronomic products are at the participants' expense
- Tastings and gastronomic experiences must be booked in advance
- Allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements must be communicated before arrival
- Opening hours, museum openings and the event programme may be subject to change
- The final rate will be communicated based on the number of participants and the services requested
