MASSAFRA AND ITS LANDSCAPE

The town of Massafra is a few kilometers far from the Ionian sea and stands on a territory characterized by Karst canyons, caves and rupestrian settlements, called “The land of ravines”. It contains a rich treasure of history, art, culture and nature.

The ravines were originated in the same geological era and were formed by the erosion of limestone rocks. The first inhabitants have been settling down in these ravines since the Neolithic. The two main canyons are “San Marco’s ravine” and “Madonna della Scala’s ravine”.

“San Marco’s ravine” divides the town into two parts which are connected by a bridge called “ponte Garibaldi”. From this bridge it is possible to admire a picturesque landscape:  stoned houses and churches rich in frescoes, a rich vegetation and numerous species of birds and insects. This ravine was a refuge for the Byzantines monks in the days of the iconoclasts’ struggle. They developed a veritable village in the rocks with cave-houses (Santa Marina’s village).

“San Marco’s ravine” and the “Garibaldi bridge”

      “Santa Marina’s village” inside “San Marco’s ravine”

“Madonna della Scala’s ravine” takes its name from a Sanctuary built on the rocks. The ravine is 4 km long, 40 m high and 30-50 m large. It contains more than 150 medicinal plants. In the ravine there are almost 300 caves, on the west side of it. The most important ones are “The Cyclops' cave”, used as a market by its inhabitants and “The cave of the magician Greguro and his pharmacy”.  Greguro was a magician who lived there with his daughter Margheritella in the year 1000. They collected the herbes and and plants from the ravine and prepared ointments for the sick of the village. They kept the herbs in many shelves carved in the rock.

“Madonna della Scala’s ravine” and the Sanctuary.

“The Cyclops' cave”

      “The cave of the Magician Greguro and his pharmacy”

THE LAND OF RAVINES 

In this video, in Italian language, you can see some images of our territory which offers a landscape rich in olive trees and vineyards. The “Land of ravines”, where rupestrian civilizations lived in past times, fascinates its visitors for its mysteries and legends.    

We look forward to show you this amazing land and let you perceive the warm hospitality of its people who live in historical boroughs full of art and spirituality.

Discover the city of Massafra (ITALY)