Conversano Private Tour: the history of ancient Norba
Description
Start your journey at Piazza della Conciliazione, an elegant square dominated by the Castle of the Counts Acquaviva d’Aragona, the medieval symbol of Conversano. Admire the red-brick structure, the corner towers with battlements, the entrance gate, and the cylindrical keep, all testifying to noble power and history. Continue to the Monastery of Saint Benedetto, featuring a Baroque bell tower and a medieval cloister decorated with Romanesque mullioned windows and finely carved capitals. A second cloister houses the Civic Museum with artifacts ranging from prehistory to the Roman era. Stroll through the historic center of Conversano, with its cobblestone streets, hidden courtyards, and noble palaces, discovering local stories and traditions along the way. End your tour at the Cathedral of Saint Maria Assunta, a masterpiece of Apulian Romanesque architecture, featuring a gabled façade, three naves, decorated capitals, a wooden crucifix, and the icon of the Madonna della Fonte.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Cathedral of Saint Maria Assunta in Conversano is one of the finest examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Built between the 11th and 12th centuries and later modified, it features a simple gabled façade with three portals and a central rose window. The interior has three naves divided by columns with finely carved capitals decorated with vegetal, zoomorphic, and symbolic motifs of Byzantine influence. Despite transformations and damage over time, the cathedral still preserves important artistic and devotional elements that reflect its historical and spiritual significance.
The Castle of the Counts Acquaviva d’Aragona in Conversano is a majestic medieval fortress overlooking the town’s historic center. Of Norman origin, it was extensively transformed between the 15th and 16th centuries by the Acquaviva d’Aragona family, becoming both a noble residence and a defensive structure. The castle is characterized by its massive stone walls, corner towers, and cylindrical keep ( external visit )
The historic center of Conversano is a fascinating maze of cobblestone streets, stone arches, and noble palaces that tell centuries of history. Enclosed within ancient medieval walls, it preserves an authentic and intimate atmosphere, where Romanesque churches, hidden courtyards, and small quiet squares alternate. The town offers a picturesque journey through medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, immersed in the heart of the most historic and genuine Apulia.
The Monastery of Saint Benedetto in Conversano is one of the city’s most important religious complexes. Founded in the medieval period and dedicated to Saint Benedict of Nursia, it was for centuries a powerful female monastic center. The complex is distinguished by its Baroque bell tower and its evocative cloisters, where Romanesque elements coexist with later Renaissance and Baroque additions. Today it also houses the Civic Museum, which preserves archaeological finds and historical evidence of the area, from prehistory to the Roman era.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Reviews(2)
Great tour! Very helpful communication for arrival, parking and meeting. Our guide was friendly, professional and knowledgeable. The history of the city is so interesting. I highly recommend this tour!
We had the most amazing time with our private tour guide, Antonio. His vast knowledge of Conversano as well as history in general made it extra interesting. He even shared historical info with us about other areas we had already visited in the Puglia region. He was kind, well-versed in English, and interesting. Even our teens were interested in listening to him. We will definitely be booking more tours with Antonio next time we visit Puglia.
