Top 6 Caves around Montemesola

A valley with a small lake, a small natural waterfall—unique in Puglia—and numerous historical sites, from prehistory to the 10th century. A small paradise that many may not know, yet it lies within our territory. We're talking about the Gravina di Riggio, a place of great natural and historical value. A few kilometers from the city, the Gravina di Riggio is a deep valley characterized by a waterfall, a small lake, and a small stream, as well as numerous relics related to the phenomenon of "living in caves." Of particular note is "il Caggione," a circular chasm located near the waterfall. On its sheer walls, a cave village spread across three levels of caves is clearly visible. The remains of a fortification wall, some graffiti, and fragments of pottery date back to the Greek and Roman periods. Finally, the area was heavily inhabited during the Middle Ages, as evidenced by the two frescoed rock churches, the cenobitic hermitage, the pit burials, and a village with communal facilities such as water cisterns and a granary. The Gravina di Riggio rises 4 kilometers from Grottaglie, in the province of Taranto, and is a valley 1,300 meters long and 25 meters deep. In addition to being home to many animal and plant species, it is famous for its caves, some of natural origin, others man-made. The Gravina di Riggio is unique for its waterfall, which after a 15-meter drop feeds a small lake and a stream. The Church-Crypt of the Savior, with frescoes from the 10th and 11th centuries, is also beautiful. A special place not to be missed.

Trail recommended for expert hikers due to the presence of stepped differences in height.

800 meters long and up to 40 meters deep, it is rich in spontaneous vegetation consisting of Mediterranean scrub, olive trees, oaks and carob trees. Like many blades dug by water in the karst rocks, this one has also been shaped by men over the centuries. In fact, there is a rock settlement consisting of numerous caves dug into the rock along the slopes of the blade, used at least until the 13th century. The settlement, in addition to the dwellings in the caves arranged on several levels, also included three rock churches and a cistern for collecting water. On the northern slope, the church of Saints Peter and Paul, dating back to the 6th-7th century, is still recognizable, further expanded with wall structures in the 16th century and dedicated to San Pietro dei Giudei. The Fullonese name of the locality probably derives from the trade of tanners and dyers practiced by a small colony of Jews, exiles following the destruction of Oria in 977, who in this place, due to the abundance of water and natural pools, found ideal conditions for settling.

West of the urban center of Grottaglie, at the foot of Mount Fellone, stands the Lama del Fullonese, a ravine full of caves dug into the rock that were once used as a refuge by man since the Paleolithic. Here a Jewish community from Oria, fleeing from the brutal Saracen raids of the late 10th century, found refuge and all the elements necessary to continue the artisanal activity of tanning leather. From a naturalistic point of view, the Fullonese is a set of different habitats with a biodiversity sensitive to the various microclimates present that leaves visitors amazed by the colors and scents. If in the area, I recommend you stop by 😉

The Church of San Michele in Triglie was built on the Triglio hill, between Crispiano and Statte, between 1722 and 1746, by the will of the Bitetto family, who dedicated this place sacred to San Michele Arcangelo for a family devotion. The building rises above the remains of an ancient cave dedicated to the Saint that can still be visited today and decorated with frescoes by modern era. The church was later called the church of San Michele in Triglie from the name of the Contrada Triglie which hosts it and which takes its name from the ravine of the same name. The new chapel of San Michele in Triglie was instead built at the end of the nineteenth century by the Coneviva family, who inherited the farm from the Blasi family. Various historical events have seen the sacred place stripped of its sacred furnishings, around in 1841 it even became a warehouse / barn and was forbidden to worship in 1958. Thanks to the devotion and perseverance of the Coneviva family, the church was restored and today it is possible to visit it.

"The Bucito Cave", in Grottaglie I'll make a very brief introduction: generally the manifestations of worship in caves, here, refer to what is the devotion for the Archangel Michael (quis ut Deus). And we owe this to the Lombards who made him their national saint. I would not leave out, however, the Byzantines of Puglia among whom this saint enjoyed enormous popularity. "The Grottaglie area, like other places in the area, has been inhabited by man since the most remote times. In fact, in some districts (Bucito, Coluccio and Lonoce) roughly worked stone tools, splinters and processing residues have been found, belonging to the Paleolithic, that is, to the period of the Ancient Stone. The Buccito Cave (or Coluccio), near Grottaglie, is located at an important road junction, closely connected to the Tratturo Martinese. These are the oldest signs of the presence of man in our territory. In the Neolithic Age (from the mid-5th to the first centuries of the 4th millennium BC) the first agricultural villages began to emerge (Bucito and Caprarica). Caves and natural caverns were then used in all phases of the Bronze and Iron Ages, especially in the villages of Riggio, Lonoce, Fullonese and Pensieri. In the last period of the Bronze Age, the agricultural economy took over from pastoralism, so the ravines were gradually abandoned to form small urban-type settlements. This process was however stifled with the foundation of Taranto by Spartan colonists (towards the end of the 8th century BC)” (From metropolis.it) Why is it called that? The cave takes its name from the Greek term βοῦς, βοός- bus,- or “ox” and οἰκία or “house, shelter, dwelling” and therefore, originally, indicated a place of shelter for these animals. The Greek etymology is evidence of both Magna Graecia, of Byzantine d+-++-homination and of the subsequent presence of the Basilian monks in our territory For some years, in this cave, the mass of December 24th was celebrated. Suggestive! A custom that would be nice to resume, both for our religion and for our traditions.

The Cave is part of the Gravine di Grottaglie and is located in the Terra delle Gravine Regional Park. The Bucito cave (also known as the Coluccio cave) is located in an important road junction, closely connected to the Tratturo Martinese, an ancient primary communication route until the 19th century in Puglia. On a boulder adjacent to the cave there are two statuettes, one of Padre Pio da Pietrelcina and one of Jesus Christ. Until a few years ago, in the Bucito cave, on the night of December 25, the inhabitants of Grottaglie and the surrounding area flocked there for the Christmas vigil and for the celebration of the Midnight Christmas Mass.

For safety reasons, the Riggio ravine cannot be visited independently, since it is a private property to which access is forbidden, but it is possible to visit it during groups organized by Millenari di Puglia to be able to enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of these places safely and with the help of an expert guide.