Conversano
Conversano: a city with ancient roots in Puglia
Conversano, or Cummersène in the Barese dialect, is a town located on the hills of Murgia, in the Puglia region, at an altitude of about 219 m. The city has a population of 25,737 and is known for its history, location, and landscape. Conversano was founded during the pre-Roman ceramic age, before becoming one of the main cities of central-southern Puglia in the 11th century, with the role of earldom.
Today, Conversano is one of the most important cities in the province of Bari. It is famous for its cathedral, castle, and various cultural events organized every year. The landscape is characterized by orchards, olive groves, vineyards, and above all cherry trees, which constitute a major export source.
The physical geography of Conversano
The city of Conversano is located on a gentle hill at an altitude of 219 m. The surrounding panorama offers a view of the Adriatic coast, which is about 8 km away. The territory of Conversano is rich in vegetation and forests, with numerous orchards, olive groves, and vineyards. The landscape around the city is typical of Puglia, with many cherry trees, which constitute a major export source.
Conversano borders to the north with Mola, to the northeast with Polignano, to the southeast with Castellana, to the south with Putignano, to the southwest with Turi, and to the northwest with Rutigliano. The surface area of the territory is 127 km², one of the largest in southeast Bari. There are two administrative islands belonging to the municipality of Polignano a Mare within the territory of Conversano.
The geology of Conversano
The territory of Conversano is located in the southeast Murge or low Murge. 80% of the soil consists of thin clayey loam soil, while the remaining 20% is deep clay soil covered by a thin layer of red soil.
The karst nature of the subsoil of Murgia has created a particular landscape with a plateau with very gentle slopes. However, the complex morphology of the territory abruptly interrupts in a scarp that slopes towards the coast. The scarp, with a NNW-SSE trend and a height variable between about 25 and 40 meters, is incised by the Monsignore gravina, with vertical walls that reach a height of 20-25 meters.
The predominantly karstic landscape allows meteoric waters to quickly flow into the system of fractures and underground channels. Occasionally, however, the waters can stagnate in depressions and form dolines, small lakes like the lakes of Conversano.
The climate of Conversano
Conversano enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot and dry summers and mild and humid winters. The average annual temperature is about 16.5°C, with summer peaks reaching 30°C. The city is part of the DOC Wine Road of Murgia Carsica thanks to its particular climatic conditions and the quality of the territory.
The history of Conversano
Conversano has a history dating back to the pre-Roman era when a ceramic settlement existed in the region. In the 11th century, Conversano became one of the main cities of central-southern Puglia with the role of earldom.
The city has a strong religious tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. The Cathedral of Conversano is an example of Puglian Romanesque art and is located in the heart of the city. The Castle of Conversano was built in 1050 to protect the city from barbarian invasions.
Today, Conversano is one of the most important cities in Puglia. Since 2011, it has been awarded the title of city of Italy. In addition to the cathedral and the castle, Conversano has several museums, churches, and historic buildings that tell its history.
Tourism in Conversano
A popular tourist destination, Conversano offers visitors the beauty of the hilly landscape, its art museums, ancient churches and palaces, as well as a refined and genuine local cuisine. Tourists traveling to Conversano have the opportunity to visit the city in all its aspects, from cultural to gastronomic, discovering local traditions and the beauty of the surrounding territory.
Conclusion
Conversano is a city with ancient history, which tells the culture and traditions of Puglia. The city has a privileged position on the hills of Murgia, with a landscape characterized by orchards, olive groves, vineyards, and cherry trees. Conversano stands out for its strong religious and cultural traditions, with several places of historical interest, such as the castle and the cathedral. Finally, Conversano is a popular tourist destination, where visitors can discover the beauty of the city and the territory around it.
