Conversano

Situated on the top of the Murge hill, beneath the green countryside which surrounds it, Conversano gives its cultural and artistic heritage together with its history.
The origin of Conversano dates bach to prehistorical ages, Norba was the name of that old village whose remains could be seen at the Civic Museum, situated near S. Benedict Church.
 From the XIth century, the Norman earldom of Conversano had a wide territory in which the benedictine abbey and the bishop see were the main reason for that grandness.
 
The norman castle, situated on the highest part of the town, was recovered through the
centuries and became the earls of Acquaviva d’Aragona Palace. The earl’s palace still have some medieval towers and, in recent years, contains the comunal picture gallery with valuable painting from Fenoglio (painter from the XVIIth century).

Nearby the castle, there are the Cathedral; the Bishop Palace; the Benedictine Abbey (now deserted); the S. Joseph Monastery and the S. Cosma Church, noticeable masterpieces of apulian art.
 
The historic centre has nice spots with typical popular  architecture. In the countryside there are the remains of the medieval village of Castiglione; the earl’s villa of Marchione and the
kastic dolinas of “laghi”, important structures of historical and environmental value.