Castellana Grotte

Castellana Grotte is a town and comune in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Apulia, southern Italy. Grotte means "caves" in Italian. Wikipedia.
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Castellana Grotte Trip Planner

Castellana Grotte Trip Planner

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Top attractions in Castellana Grotte

Grotte di Castellana
1. Grotte di Castellana
4.6
(28532)
Nature & Parks
Natural history museum
Karst cave network with a 3.2KM-long & 230-foot deep tour route, plus a museum with events & shows.
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You are not allowed to take pictures beyond a certain point. For me, the most amazing caves I ever saw. The experience is totally worth it. The entire area around is also very nice. It's not too slippery, not too cold. The guides are nice, tours are available in many languages. Booking in advance is recommended
It was like Cheddar Gorge in England, on steroids. Definitely worth a visit. You can only take photos in the first cave which was the least amazing, because of a risk of flash damaging natural fungi etc. This was the least amazing cave. I went on an arranged tour.
Nice cave but for us the experience was totally ruined by the 'can't be bothered' miserable attitude of the staff. One in the front and one in the back making sure that nobody took a surreptitious photograph, apparently, we were told because of the copyright of the company. I don't think you can copyright caves. More to do with the guards wanting to get through as quickly as possible. We were put in a massive group of around 100. All different nationalities, with an 'English Speaking' guide, although I'm English and I was picking up maybe 3 words of each sentence it was that bad. I could hardly see above people's heads we were so tightly packed and moving so quickly. No time to stop and admire the cave .. just rushed through like cattle. Twice we passed small Italian groups, all ambling along taking flash photos and video, yet we were rushed through so fast on the uneven floors, most of it badly lit. I'm surprised nobody fell and had an accident. We've been in lots of caves. Usually you go through alone, with headsets explaining the system. Some have music and light shows, making it very dramatic. This one is just boring. Not worth €18 per person. Total rip off.
Great experience! The 50 min tour suitable for small kids (4 & 6 y.o. enjoyed it). A bit to brief for adults/teenagers. During a 1km walk you're going to see a few amazing stone formations, hear a bit of history about the caves, and have a chance to imagine how this place looked like before it was turned into a tourist attraction. No need for any special shoes or outfits - a jacket and a pair of sneakers would do.
Fantastic caves, but the experience is totally spoiled by the way it's run. It started badly when we were charged to park out car in a large car park in the village centre not far from the caves. But since the caves are the only attraction in town, the cost of parking ought to be included in the ticket price for visiting the cave. After buying our tickets, we were shown to the "planetarium" which is a miniature imax-style surround cinema where they played an animated film about possible alien life on other planets. But nobody could see it. The projector was so feeble that it took a couple of minutes of dark adaptation to seven see the image. And then people kept opening the door, causing bright sunshine to flood in and ruin the dark adaptation. They also give you pretty terrible 3D glasses that make the picture even dimmer. I guess this planetarium show is there to stop kids getting bored between tours of the caves, and it's a nice idea in principle. But the fact that they didn't invest in a decent projector system and didn't fit a light-proof entry system means it actually irritating for a lot of people. I heard lots of murmurings of "well that's 30 minutes of my life I'll never get back" upon leaving. But my biggest gripe of all is the actual cave tour itself. Not only do they try to stop you from taking photos beyond the first cave, but there's no mention of this at all before you buy your tickets. I LOVE visiting caves and have visited hundreds of them over the years. This is the first time I've been prevented from taking photos. I asked one of the two ladies what the reasoning was, and she said "Because it's our copyright". Which is total nonsense. Nobody has copyright over things that they did not create. And caves are created by the action of water over millions of years, they aren't man-made! I ignored their protestations and continued to take plenty of photos. In the end they stopped trying to stop me. I later looked up what possible genuine reasons they might have, and it's to protect the rocks from the effects of flash. Well why isn't that a problem in any other cave anywhere else? In any case I was taking photos and videos using a phone and a GoPro. There was no flash involved. If they really have a problem with people bringing proper cameras with powerful flash, then they should just tell people that photos are okay as long as there is no flash. Another problem is with the way the tour is guided. The tour guide at the front made an effort for people to gather around her before speaking, but her very soft voice was impossible to hear, especially since some of the visitors had brought babies who were crying the whole way. Inside the caves all you could hear is the crying of babies. Many cave site tour operators get round this by using radio mics with speakers hidden behind rocks in the caves. That way the guide doesn't have to shout, and everyone can hear easily. But no, there was nothing like that here. In summary, my biggest gripe is about their ridiculous ban on photography. For some of us, taking photos of the spectacular rock formations is a big reason for visiting in the first place. Admittedly they do say "no photography" in the guide they give you, but you don't see that until after you've bought your ticket. Pretty nasty way to operate. There's no good reason for them to ban photography, especially if you're doing it without a flash. But if you're to afraid to stand up for yourself, enjoy some of mine.
Cool tourist attraction, but be sure to wear comfortable shoes with good grip — the caves are very slippery inside. The long tour was interesting, though I’d recommend the shorter 50-minute option.
Excellent visit to these extraordinary caves. Well worth a visit if you're in the area. A lot more F walking, but very safe to do so - and there's a lift to take you back to the surface!
Really cool experience! the caves are really big like we've bever seen before. Only our gide was not the best in English, so I feel like we didn't get the best explanation at times.
Parco dei Dinosauri
2. Parco dei Dinosauri
3.8
(1350)
Open air museum
Water & Amusement Parks
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Absolutely not worth the price of the ticket! There is no discount for children and all the dinosaurs are old. It takes 5 minutes to walk all the park. If the price of the ticket is 2 euro is ok. But the price for 2 adults and one three old child is not worthy at all!
The park is fine. But price vs the duration of the tour is just not worth it.
Overpriced. Old and not good maintened.
It's a 20min activity maximum, unfortunately.
It is waste of money...All the exhibits are old. Only one is mechanical. Almost none of the descriptive panels were legible. Not worth it.
Expensive for what it is. We we're done in 15 mins, kids spent longer in the gift shop than the park.
Not worth the price at all. Poor quality and old. You will be out in less than 20 min.
Wouldn't go out of your way to travel here. My daughter walked it in less than 10 minutes. I think charging 6 euros per person is expensive considering. I would have been happy to pay 6 euros and my 3 year old free.
Santuario Convento Maria Santissima della Vetrana
3. Santuario Convento Maria Santissima della Vetrana
4.7
(77)
Shrine
Sights & Landmarks
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(Translated by Google) Sanctuary Convent Maria Santissima della Vetrana, place of Catholic worship, located in the town of Castellana Grotte (BA). Here the "Madonna della Vetrana" is venerated, the patron saint of the town and in whose honor the celebrations take place on the 11th and 12th of January. In 1690, on 23 December, the city was struck by plague, the situation changed during the night between 11 and 12 January 1691, when two prelates prayed incessantly to free the population from the plague to the Madonna della Vetrana (a name which, according to some sources, it derives from "veterana", that is, "ancient"; the popular tradition, however, "vetrana" comes from the term of the same name dialect, which used to indicate the plague), portrayed in a painting dating back to the 14th century (around 1300) and located in a small rock church not far from the town center of Castellana. The two priests both had the same inspiration: to anoint the buboes of the sick with the oil from the lamp that burned perpetually next to that same painting, to heal from the plague. By doing so, and setting fire to everything that had been in contact with the disease, from that 12 January no one died of the plague in Castellana. Everyone immediately attributed the miraculous intercession of the Virgin of Vetrana, and her veneration grew, until all the sacred and secular authorities of Castellano, as a sign of gratitude, decided to celebrate the grandiose event every year. (Original) Santuario Convento Maria Santissima della Vetrana, luogo di culto cattolico, ubicato nella cittadina di Castellana Grotte (BA). Qui si venera la "Madonna della Vetrana", patrona della cittadina e in onore del quale si effettuano i festeggiamenti l' 11 e 12 di gennaio. Nel 1690, il 23 dicembre, la città venne colpita da pestilenza, la situazione cambiò durante la notte fra l’11 ed il 12 gennaio 1691, quando due prelati  pregarono incessantemente per liberare la popolazione dalla peste la Madonna della Vetrana (appellativo che, secondo alcune fonti, deriverebbe da “veterana”, cioè “antica”; secondo la tradizione popolare, invece, “vetrana” proverrebbe dall’omonimo termine dialettale, con cui si indicava la peste), ritratta in un quadro risalente al XIV secolo (1300 circa) e ubicato in una chiesetta rupestre non lontano dal centro abitato di Castellana. I due sacerdoti ebbero entrambi la stessa ispirazione: ungere i bubboni dei malati con l’olio del lume che ardeva perennemente accanto a quello stesso quadro, per guarire dalla pestilenza. Così facendo, e dando fuoco a tutto ciò che era stato in contatto con il morbo, da quel 12 gennaio a Castellana più nessuno morì di peste. Tutti attribuirono subito la miracolosa intercessione della Vergine della Vetrana, e la sua venerazione crebbe, sinché tutte le autorità sacre e laiche castellanesi, come segno di gratitudine, decisero di festeggiare ogni anno il grandioso evento.
It's a lovely sanctuary with some very nice people!
So so beautiful and peaceful. The lady was working there was excellent.
(Translated by Google) In the Marian sanctuary, located in the upper part of Castellana Grotte. Welcoming church where it is possible to venerate the Madonna della Vetrana. (Original) Nei Santuario mariano, situato nella parte alta di Castellana Grotte. Chiesa accogliente in cui è possibile venerare la Madonna della Vetrana.
(Translated by Google) A place of worship, welcoming, sensorial, with a strong emotional impact, where you can spend time in prayer and inebriating the soul, in addition to the pleasant visual and cultural reality. (Original) Luogo di culto, accogliente, sensoriale, di forte impatto emotivo, dove trascorrere del tempo in preghiera e inebriante l'anima, oltre alla piacevole realtà visiva e culturale.
(Translated by Google) The Convent is a unique place for Castellana G, where our Mistress is the great symbol of the Plague that caused so many deaths, and which she with ❤️ took away this evil. (Original) Il Convento è un posto unico x Castellana G , dove la nostra Padrona grande simbolo della Peste che provocò tanti morti ,e che lei con ❤️ portò via questo male .
(Translated by Google) The miracle of my life ❤️ (Original) Il miracolo della mia Vita ❤️
(Translated by Google) Very beautiful and well-kept place (Original) Luogo molto bello e ben tenuto
Church of Saint Leo Magnus
4. Church of Saint Leo Magnus
4.5
(183)
Cathedral
Sights & Landmarks
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(Translated by Google) For art lovers, a tour of the historic center of the "City of Caves" is more than recommended. Among the must-see destinations is the Mother Church, dedicated to the Pontiff Saint Leo the Great. It is the oldest in the city (early 3rd century). It contains a beautiful fresco in late Gothic style, some valuable sculptures by Aurelio Persio (1518-1593) - one of which has recently been expertly restored - and numerous canvases by the Castellano painter Vincenzo Fato (1705-1788). I also recommend visiting the nearby Church of S.Maria del Suffragio, also known as the "Purgatory" where a presbytery with an eighteenth-century high altar, in carved and gilded wood, and numerous paintings and frescoes by the aforementioned Vincenzo Fato are well preserved. If you then have the opportunity to meet the parish priest Don Vito Castiglione Minischetti then you are really lucky! He is, in fact, the current consultant for ecclesiastical assets and sacred art of the diocese, as well as a fine and competent expert on the subject. (Original) Per gli amanti dell'arte un giro nel centro storico della " Città delle Grotte " è più che consigliato. Tra le mete da vedere assolutamente vi è la Chiesa Matrice, dedicata al Pontefice San Leone Magno. È la più antica della città (inizi del III sec.). Contiene un bellissimo affresco in stile tardo gotico, alcune pregevoli sculture di Aurelio Persio (1518-1593) - una delle quali di recente sapientemente restaurata - e numerose tele del pittore castellanese Vincenzo Fato (1705-1788). Consiglio anche di visitare la vicina Chiesa di S.Maria del Suffragio, detta anche del "Purgatorio" ove sono ben conservati un presbiterio con altare maggiore del settecento, in legno intagliato e dorato, e numerose tele ed affreschi del citato Vincenzo Fato. Se poi avete l'occasione di incontrare il parroco Don Vito Castiglione Minischetti allora siete proprio fortunati ! Egli è, infatti, l'attuale consulente per i beni ecclesiastici e arte sacra della diocesi, oltre che un fine e competente esperto della materia.
(Translated by Google) Located in the historic center of Castellana Grotte, the mother church is dedicated to San Leone Magno, it was built in 1383, expanding an already existing Romanesque church to which a defensive Norman tower was annexed, later converted into a bell tower. On the sides of the main facade you can admire the statues of Leo the Great and John the Baptist, until then placed internally on the main altar, while on the pediment there is the sculpture of the Madonna Consolatrice. The interior of the recently restored church has certainly lost the aesthetic beauty of the bare stone, because everything was covered with white mortar (Original) Ubicata nel centro storico di Castellana Grotte, la chiesa matrice è dedicata a San Leone Magno, fu edificata nel 1383, ampliando una già esistente chiesa romanica a cui venne annessa una torre normanna difensiva, poi convertita in campanile. Ai lati della facciata principale si ammirano le statue di Leone Magno e di Giovanni Battista, fino ad allora collocate internamente sull'altare maggiore, mentre sul fastigio vi è la scultura della Madonna Consolatrice. L'interno della chiesa recentemente restaurata ha perso senz'altro la bellezza estetica della pietra nuda, perché il tutto è stato ricoperto da malta bianca
(Translated by Google) Looking at the outside one does not expect a renovated interior with white plaster; this operation hid the original stone and took away a lot of charm from this church. Where the stone remains, it is possible to appreciate the beauty of an ancient building steeped in history. Of note is an ancient fresco that can be admired at the entrance. (Original) Guardando l'esterno non ci si aspetta un interno ristrutturato con intonaco bianco; tale operazione ha nascosto la pietra originaria e ha tolto molto fascino a questa chiesa. Laddove la pietra è rimasta si riesce ad apprezzare la bellezza di una costruzione antica pregna di storia. Di nota è un affresco antichissimo ammirabile all'ingresso.
(Translated by Google) Church in Castellana, closed during our visit (Original) Eglise à Castellana, fermée lors de notre passage
(Translated by Google) You can get married in the center of the town! (Original) Ci si può sposare in centro al paese!
(Translated by Google) Austere and sober at the same time, it offers some truly unique excerpts of sacred art from the past. (Original) Austera e sobria al contempo offre alcuni stralci d'arte sacra del passato davvero unici.
(Translated by Google) A beautiful mother church in Castellana Grotte in the historic center. I have been there several times for ceremonies and the parish priest is a person open to the Christian community. (Original) Una bellissima chiesa madre a Castellana Grotte nel centro storico. Ci sono stata diverse volte per cerimonie e il parroco è una persona aperta alla comunità cristiana.
(Translated by Google) Church founded in the Angevin period of which the beautiful rose window on the facade with fretwork decoration remains and in the first bay a fresco of the Annunciation. Renovated in the eighteenth century, it houses valuable baroque altars, a splendid canvas by Vincenzo Fato, who was responsible for another 4 canvases. Furthermore, there are six large canvases in the central nave by Roppoli del Miglionico and Magliar. A true artistic treasure are the sculptures of Aurelio Persio which in ancient times constituted the altar cone (Original) Chiesa fondata in epoca angioina di cui.rimane il bel rosone in facciata con decoro a traforo e nella prima campata un affresco dell'Annunciazione. Rifatta nelle forme nel settecento ospita dur.pregevoli altari barocchi, una splendida tela di Vincenzo Fato, cui si devono altre 4 tele. Inoltre del Roppoli del Miglionico e del Magliar sei grandi tele nella navata centrale. Vero tedoro artistico sono le sculture di Aurelio Persio che anticamente costituivano la cona d'altare
Church of Saint Mary 'del Caroseno'
5. Church of Saint Mary 'del Caroseno'
4.6
(50)
Parish
Sights & Landmarks
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(Translated by Google) We were in this church, by chance, to participate in the 2024 New Year's Eve Eucharistic celebration. As soon as we entered we felt welcomed by a Christmas atmosphere. everything was perfect from the creative and warm decorations to Don Vito, a really good parish priest, I wish they were all like that. God willing we will return in March. Congratulations Don Vito and best wishes again (Original) Siamo stati in questa chiesa, casualmente ,per partecipare alla celebrazione eucaristica di capodanno 2024. Appena siamo entrati ci siamo sentiti accolti da un'atmosfera natalizia. tutto era perfetto dalle decorazioni creative e calorose a don Vito, un parroco veramente in gamba, magari fossero tutti così. Se Dio vuole torneremo a marzo. Complimenti don Vito e ancora tanti auguri
(Translated by Google) Beautiful church renovated from the outside, clean of smog, unfortunately it is located in a strategic point with enormous traffic. The procession for the Madonna del Caroseno takes place here. (Original) Bellissima chiesa ristrutturata dall'esterno ,pulita dallo smog , purtroppo si trova in un punto strategico con un traffico enorme . Qui si svolge la processione x la Madonna del Caroseno .
(Translated by Google) Among the many churches I visited on my tour in Puglia 🫀🫁💛 this is one of the simple churches... it gives you serenity (Original) Tra le tante chiese che ho girato del mio tour in puglia 🫀🫁💛questa è una delle chiese semplici...ti dà serenità
(Translated by Google) Very welcoming and well-kept church, I just would have liked a nice pedestrian area in front, as cars pass 1 meter from the main door (Original) Chiesa molto accogliente e ben tenuta, solo avrei gradito una bella zona pedonale anteriormente, in quanto le macchine passano ad 1 mt dalla porta principale
(Translated by Google) Beautiful and evocative. Among the churches which, however, do not even offer holy water to the faithful who stop for a prayer. (Original) Bella e suggestiva. Tra le chiese che però non offre neanche l'acqua santa al fedele che si ferma per una preghiera.
(Translated by Google) Parish priest always ready in initiatives of prayer and a good community 🙏🙏❤️❤️ (Original) Parroco sempre pronto nelle iniziative di preghiera e di una buona comunità 🙏🙏❤️❤️
(Translated by Google) The parish priest has created a beautiful synergy between the parish groups6 (Original) Il parroco ha creato una bella sinergia fra i gruppi parrocc6
(Translated by Google) Well kept church with a very nice altar (Original) Chiesa ben tenuta con un altare molto bello
Museo Speleologico Franco Anelli
6. Museo Speleologico Franco Anelli
4.6
(8)
Museum
Specialty Museums
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(Translated by Google) We were on the 16th at the "Una notte con Sirio" event at 10.30pm. The experience was magnificent, we observed the starry sky with 3 different telescopes, we discussed and talked about many curiosities related to astronomy, in fact we stopped talking until 01:00. (Original) Siamo stati il 16 all’evento “Una notte con Sirio” alle 22:30. L’esperienza è stata magnifica, abbiamo osservato il cielo stellato con 3 diversi telescopi, abbiamo discusso e parlato di molte curiosità legate all’astronomia, infatti ci siamo fermati a parlare fino all’01:00.
(Translated by Google) Small mineralogical museum with interesting samples and diagrams for a theoretical understanding of the karst and geology of Puglia (Original) Piccolo museo mineralogico con interessanti campioni e diagrammi per una comprensione teorica del carsismo e geologia della Puglia
(Translated by Google) All very interesting and informative (Original) Tutto molto interessante e istruttivo
(Translated by Google) Nice place (Original) Bel posto
(Translated by Google) Interesting place (Original) Luogo interessante
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Grotte di Castellana
Nature & Parks
Natural history museum
Karst cave network with a 3.2KM-long & 230-foot deep tour route, plus a museum with events & shows.
Chiesetta rettoria Santa Maria del Suffragio e del Purgatorio
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