Putignano: Old Town, Carnival and Culture

Putignano as a destination for your stay

Putignano brings together a range of cultural and historical themes: a medieval town layout, historic churches, a house museum, carnival traditions and the Grotta del Trullo. When choosing a hotel in Putignano, it helps to decide on the historical period or subject you want to focus on during your stay. December 26 is a specific point in the annual calendar thanks to the Festa delle Propaggini; the old town, the MURCA and the history of the town’s buildings offer other points of interest.

Historic lanes and buildings

The historic center features a medieval town layout. Its lanes are paved with “Chianche” stone and lined with characteristic courtyards. The paving and courtyards are as much a part of the town center’s character as its medieval layout, giving you several points of reference as you explore Putignano’s historic structure.

The Chiesa Matrice di San Pietro is an example of Apulian Romanesque architecture and was built from limestone. The smaller Chiesetta di Santo Stefano Piccolo also combines a simple architectural form with local history: it was built in 1402 and has a Greek cross floor plan. In this type of plan, the four arms are equal in length. The church is also known as the “chiesetta della fontana.” One of Putignano’s first public fountains is located on its exterior.

Another historical landmark is the Palazzo del Balì, once a residence of the Knights of Malta. Together, these buildings illustrate different aspects of the town’s history: religious architecture, a distinctive floor plan and the former use of a palazzo. You can explore these themes as separate areas of interest during a culture-focused stay.

The MURCA and its collection

The upper floor of the MURCA – Museo Romanazzi Carducci di Santo Mauro is classified as a house museum. The collections in its reception rooms include furniture, paintings, silverware, porcelain and clocks. The collection therefore features a range of object types, with furniture and clocks alongside paintings and items made of silver and porcelain. This gives a visit to the museum a different focus from exploring the churches and historic buildings.

The MURCA has no architectural barriers. As arrangements may change, it is best to contact the museum directly before your visit with any specific questions.

Carnival, crafts and Farinella

The Festa delle Propaggini takes place every year on December 26 and marks the beginning of Putignano’s carnival. The fixed date is a useful reference if you would like to plan your stay around this opening event. Papier-mâché is another feature associated with the carnival: it is used to create the festival’s allegorical floats.

Stoneworking is one of Putignano’s oldest traditions. By contrast, papier-mâché is especially associated with the carnival floats. These two crafts thus reflect different aspects of local culture. Farinella is another characteristic local reference: it is a flour made from roasted barley and roasted chickpeas. As you explore the area’s themes, this local specialty adds a culinary dimension to the history of its buildings and crafts.

Grotta del Trullo: history and access

The Grotta del Trullo was discovered on May 29, 1931, a few meters from Putignano’s inhabited town center. Less than three months later, it was placed under special protection. Its preservation was considered to be of significant public interest because of its natural beauty. The short time between the cave’s discovery and its protection highlights its early importance to nature conservation in Putignano.

Access to the Grotta del Trullo is via a staircase with 45 steps. Take this into account when planning your visit, and check the conditions beforehand.

Getting there by train and bus

The Ferrovie del Sud Est provides daily train and bus connections from Putignano to Bari via Casamassima or Conversano, as well as to Martina Franca. Check the timetable before travelling so you can plan your journey using the connections that suit your stay.

Discover more destinations: Monopoli, Torre A Mare, Cellamare, Impalata, Valenzano, Bitetto, Bisceglie, Gravina In Puglia.

Return to the main travel overview: Bari.