The urban settlement of the city of Massafra developed according to the system of the ravines of the park, because the inhabitants gradually passed from cave dwellings to houses built in masonry. Today the ancient village is a tangle of narrow streets and steep streets that invite you to stroll aimlessly enjoying the scents and the many views it offers.
If, on the other hand, we want to follow a path, we could start our visit to the city, from the Castle, a beautiful structure with the contours overlooking the Gravina San Marco that offers a particularly suggestive view. In a few minutes on foot, from the castle you reach Piazza Garibaldi to admire the Clock Tower, this too, together with the castle, is one of the symbols of the city. Of the tower you can admire the beautiful eighteenth-century decorations and the large bell. Continuing along via Vittorio Veneto you will arrive at the Cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Conception. To get there, simply follow the large dome visible from any point in the district.
Take the time to admire the majestic facade, considering that the entrance door, eight meters high, is among the most impressive in Italy. Inside you can admire a rich artistic heritage consisting of paintings, sculptures and other goods from previous churches that no longer exist. Walking through the small streets of the village is a pleasure, but also take advantage of a delicious break in one of the many clubs in the center.
The traditional cuisine is excellent and the local products are always fresh and genuine, a good meal will give us the right strength to go to the Madonna della Scala ravine to admire the sanctuary of the same name accessible along a majestic staircase, while you go down count all the steps that follow and do the same uphill, according to popular tradition the number of steps will never be the same.
Also in the same ravine is the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie and the remains of three other rock churches are kept nearby. During your journeys do not forget to admire the surrounding vegetation. There are many varieties of plants, some very rare, which the ancients believed to be medicinal, and now enjoy the sunset in the ravine where, when the sun's rays go down, the shadows lengthen and everything seems to acquire a fairytale dimension.
