Ruvo di Puglia

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =ruvodiPuglia-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Ruvo di Puglia
name =Ruvo di Puglia
region = Puglia
province = Bari
elevation_m = 240
area_total_km2 = 221
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 25635
population_density_km2 = 116
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|41|07|N|16|29|E
frazioni = Calendano
telephone = 080
postalcode = 70037
gentilic = Ruvesi
saint = Saint Blaise
day = February 3
mayor =
website = [http://comune.ruvodipugliaweb.it/]
mapx=41.11
mapy=16.47

Ruvo di Puglia is a town and comune in the province of Bari, Puglia, Italy that is essentially devoted to agriculture, wine and olive growing. It is part of the Murge karst landscape.

Geography and Territory

Ruvo's territory is known for its vineyards, Olive groves and sowable fields, and is one of the largest in the Bari's province. Very interesting is its wooden area, with many downy oak trees (Quercus pubescens) and a considerable underwood. Ruvo's territory is comprised in the italian Alta Murgia National Park and shows typical elements of the Apulian karst landscape: sinkholes, karstical valleys also known as "lame", among which we mention the upper course of Lama Balice and various caves. Two important caves to mention are "La Grave della Ferratella" (which is the deepest cave in the Apulia region), and the "Abisso di Notarvincenzo".

History

The most ancient archaeological findings from the area date to the 9th century BC. In the 3rd century BC it commerced with the Greater Greece, Etruria and Greece. Under the Roman Empire it was first a military stronghold and later a "municipum"; then it was ruled by the Byzantines, the Saracens and the Normans. Later it was part of the county of Conversano.

After the Aragonese and French dominations it was a fief of the Carafa family, until the abolition of feudalism in 1806.

Main sights

*The Cathedral is one of the most famous examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture. The façade has three portals and numerous decorations, depicting Christian symbols as well as griffins and other fantastic figures. There are two rose windows. The interior has a nave and two aisles ending with a transept. Among the numerous works of art, a wooden statue and the reliquiary of St. Blaise, a fresco portraying the "Madonna and Child with St. Sebastian", a panel of the Virgin of Constantinople and a noteworthy wooden cross. Under the church are the remains of the palaeo-christian church and Roman tombs.
*"Palazzo Jatta" (19th century)
*Church of the "Madonna di Calendano", in the ominous "frazione".

External links

* [http://www.coloridellamurgia.it/gall/migrazione/ruvo/ Web page about the landscape of Ruvo] it