The rocky park of Lama d'Antico

In Apulia human beings have inhabited caves since the beginning of time.

This custom went on till the Middle-Age.

This phenomenon must be framed within what it’s called “Mediterranean civilisation”.

The rupestrian park of Lama d’Antico is in Savelletri, nearby Fasano.

We have decided to spend there the Saturday night.

Antonella, as Virgilio with Dante in the Holy Commedey, takes us through Lama d’Antico.

We get along a path with candles disseminated all the way long.

It seems to me like travelling back the ancient times, with no noise, no lights. 

Just us and the sky above our heads.

Describing the site, Antonella points out that “the further rupestrian site is in Ethiopia”.

Lama d’Antico is a vast rupestrian area, where you can admire houses, churches and laboratories excaved in the rock.

This area once was a river-bed, which channeled water from mountains (Murgia) to the Adriatic sea.

“Here people used to cultivate olive trees and much

more”. Antonella says, while stopping by a very old carob tree.

Houses are allocated opposite to the rising sun.

In this way, the ancients benefit from being warmed and enlighted by the sun.

Antonella leads us to visit the church of Lama d’Antico, which is one of the three churches existent in the park.

This is an Orthodox church (a croce greca) so beautiful, so rich of details.

This church has been made in the 12^th century.

It reflectes the Romanic style.

It has been probably excavated from the top.

There are still visible few frescos, which  entirely preserve the  magic of touch of the Byzantine artist who actually made it.

God (pictured) is portrayed within an oval pattern which represents an almond.

According to the Christian symbology, almond means rebirth.

A tomb has been discovered by the altar.

 “That advise, written in Greek, reports that a woman is buried here. We assume that she had to be pretty rich to afford it” The guide states.

I add “nothing is changed. Churches still work in the same way”. The audience burst laughing.

Among us there is a couple of Bologna.

“We come every year to Apulia to spend our holidays” They say.

Along the path, we see the works of a local artist, Giovanni Carpignano.

“I pick up neglected stuff left in the countryside such as hoes. These tools belong to our identity, to the peasant civilisation” Giovanni explains.

It’s dark, completely dark.

I scrutinise the sky, plenty of bright stars.

A full rising moon cheers us.

I have dressed the shoes of ancient Apulians of Lama d’Antico.

I strongly recommend you to come over here and admire this unique landscape.

The park of Lama d’Antico has joined the project #Pugliaopendays, so on Saturday evening entrance is free.

Before leaving, we spend some time talking with Angela Brucoli, a photographer from Fasano.

She’s been delighting the audience by projecting pictures taken by her book Simboli e segni di Puglia.

She appreciates #Pugliaopendays.

Nevertheless, she disapproves the Road Show as way to advertise Apulia “It’s definitely a waste of money” she complaints.

I’d like to stay here longer, but my darling wish to come back home.

We get on our car and leave behind the park.

After having driven around 100 metres, I distinguish a couple walking in the dark.

I recognise them. They had visited the park with us.

I roll down the car window and ask “Hey guys, do you need a lift?”.

The man looks at me for a while. Then finally replies “yes, please”.

“Come on, get on board” I reply.

“Did you guys come to the park on foot? It’s dangerous, isn’t” I say.

“It is indeed. We didn’t realize it”.

Lucia, my beloved, asks them “where do you come from?”.

“Well, we come from Vicenza” they answer.

“We are arrived. We get out here. Thank you so much” They say.

“No problem. Good luck” we reply.

Now, it’s time to come back home.

Home sweet home