History and Sights of Conversano

, the old "Norba Peucetica", is steeped in history. Many tombs dating from the IV to the II centuries B.C. and the remains of imposing, megalithic walls have been found here.

The medieval Cupersanum was claimed by both Byzantines and the Longobards, who fortified it in the 7th century. At the end of the 11th century it became a county under the Norman Geoffrey Guiscard, and its main monuments date from this age. In 1508 it became a feud of the Acquaviva of Aragon family, who kept the title until 1806.

The imposing castle is of Norman origin, and was modified at various times over the ages until the last alterations were made by Countess Dorotea Acquaviva (1710), who had the main entrance, the enclosure wall of the courtyard and the gallery inside the entrance hall built. The most important apartment has paintings by famous artists as Paolo Domenico Finoglio. Ten of his paintings representing "La Gerusalemme Liberata" are kept there. the majority of the castle now comprises private dwellings.

Near the castle there is the gem of the town, its Romanesque cathedral. It sinterior contains ancient frescoes, sadly damaged by fire in 1911, and a fine 13th century icon of the Virgin.

The monastery of S. Benedetto, which according the tradition was built by St. Mauro in the 10th century, has a very interesting history. It has a splendid 11th century cloister open to visitors, and a museum, but the convent church is normally closed.

The lovely public gardens outside the town walls offer welcome shade, and views reaching to the Adriatic.

Archeological remains of interest are to be found in the area around Conversano: the church of Santa Caterina (probably dating from 1100), on an unusual four-leaf-clover plan with its central dome on the tambour is very important, while the Marchione Castle (1730) the summer home of the Counts of Acquaviva, is impressive. On the Hill of Castiglione 3 km from the built-up area, there are the remains of the acropolis of an old town of the Peuceti. The town, completely surrounded with walls built on old megalithic fortifications, still has a tower, which has been recently restored. A necropolis, with remains dating from the V to the III B.C., was found in 1950 at the foot of the hill.