Alta Murgia Overview
Alta Murgia National Park, known as Parco Nazionale dell’Alta Murgia in Italian, is a vast protected area in southern Italy, covering approximately 263 square miles (680 square kilometers).
Located in the Apulia (Puglia) region, the park spans parts of the provinces of Bari and Barletta-Andria-Trani, offering a diverse and rugged landscape shaped by limestone formations, rolling hills, and deep ravines. This unique karst terrain features plateaus, sinkholes, and caves, including the famous Pulicchio di Gravina, one of the deepest dolines in Italy.
The landscape is dominated by vast stretches of steppe, interspersed with Mediterranean scrub, oak forests, and cultivated fields where ancient traditions of farming and grazing continue. The park is also home to fascinating rock formations and remnants of prehistoric settlements, testifying to human activity dating back thousands of years.
Alta Murgia National Park boasts a remarkable variety of flora, with endemic species thriving in its semi-arid environment. The steppe landscape is covered with feather grass, wild orchids, and aromatic herbs such as thyme and rosemary. Among the scattered woodlands, downy oaks and holm oaks provide shade for numerous animal species. This rich and diverse habitat supports an array of wildlife, including several notable mammals like the wild boar, fox, European hedgehog, and hare.
The park is particularly significant for birdwatchers, as it provides refuge for rare and threatened species. The lesser kestrel, a small migratory falcon, is one of the most emblematic birds of the park, nesting in abandoned farmhouses and rocky outcrops. Other avian species include the short-toed eagle, Eurasian eagle-owl, and various species of larks and warblers, making the park an important area for bird conservation.
The park is renowned for its historical and archaeological sites, with centuries-old dry-stone walls, rock-cut churches, and abandoned masserie (traditional Apulian farmsteads) dotting the landscape. The town of Castel del Monte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most famous landmarks in the region.
This 13th-century castle, built by Emperor Frederick II, stands atop a hill with its unique octagonal shape and striking medieval architecture. Visitors are drawn to this historical treasure, as well as to other significant sites like the ancient cave dwellings of Gravina in Puglia and the medieval villages scattered throughout the park.
Visitors can explore Alta Murgia National Park through an extensive network of trails ideal for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. These trails take adventurers across the rugged hills and pastures, offering stunning panoramic views of the landscape.
The park is also a popular destination for photography and nature observation, especially in spring when wildflowers bloom and migratory birds arrive. Educational and eco-tourism activities, such as guided tours and workshops on local biodiversity and traditional agricultural practices, provide insight into the park’s natural and cultural heritage.
Despite its protected status, Alta Murgia National Park faces conservation challenges, including habitat degradation due to illegal dumping, intensive farming, and infrastructure development.
However, conservation efforts have led to significant successes, particularly in the protection of the lesser kestrel population and the promotion of sustainable land-use practices. Ongoing research and monitoring programs contribute to maintaining the park’s ecological balance while fostering environmental awareness among local communities and visitors.
Park Map
Alta Murgia National Park Highlights
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