Molfetta between Cathedral, Harbour and Pulo

Molfetta combines Romanesque architecture, medieval urban history, maritime tradition and a karst landscape. The Duomo, the Centro Antico, the harbour and the Pulo each add a very different dimension. When planning your trip, the city therefore offers both cultural points of interest and opportunities to explore nature and landscapes.

Romanesque Architecture and Medieval Centre

The Duomo was built between the 12th and 13th centuries in the Apulian Romanesque style and is dedicated to Saint Conrad of Bavaria. Three domes arranged along a single axis and two towers define its appearance. One of the towers is a lookout tower offering views towards the sea.

The medieval Centro Antico is located on the Sant’Andrea peninsula. The peninsula is named after the old church of the same name, which was first mentioned in notarial deeds in 1126. Via Vico Muro, you can reach a panoramic walk along the old walls of the Centro Antico. From the top of the Torrione Passari, there is a 360-degree view.

The Ospedale dei Crociati is also part of Molfetta’s history. The building, dating from the 11th century, served in Molfetta as a place of rest and care for pilgrims and was located near the ancient landing sites of Cala San Giacomo and Cala dei Pali. For years, the Sala dei Templari has served as an exhibition hall for temporary exhibitions.

Harbour, Seafaring and City Walks

A walk along Molfetta’s harbour leads past numerous fishing boats and shipyards and conveys the city’s maritime character. At the Museo del Mare, one section displays fishing nets from the Adriatic, navigational instruments, and historical reconstructions of medieval landing sites and the harbour as it looked in the 19th century.

The Via Francigena route “Cammino tra mare e pietra bianca” offers another combination of physical activity and urban history. It passes through Molfetta and connects coastal and city walks. This allows you to discover the city not only through individual buildings, but also through its paths, walls and connection with the sea.

The Pulo: Karst Landscape and Early Settlement

The Pulo is an extensive karst formation with a circumference of 600 m, a maximum diameter of 170 m and a depth of 30 m. More than 200 plant species typical of the Mediterranean maquis grow in this landscape. Access to the Pulo is by reservation.

The site is also associated with a very early history of settlement. The Pulo was already used by Neolithic communities 7,000 years ago and remained continuously settled or used until the Bronze Age. At the Museo Civico Archeologico, information panels on the ground floor explain the geomorphology as well as the flora and fauna of the Pulo. The upper floor is devoted entirely to the prehistoric human settlement at the site.

The connection between landscape and archaeology continues at the Museo Diocesano. Its archaeological section contains Neolithic and pre-Roman finds, most of which come from the prehistoric settlement of the Pulo di Molfetta. The Biblioteca del Seminario Vescovile at the Museo Diocesano preserves manuscripts, incunabula, books from the 16th century, and printed texts from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Further destinations for planning your trip: Spinazzola, Poggiorsini, Santa Lucia, Noicattaro, Terlizzi, Santo Spirito, San Bartolomeo, Putignano

For the higher-level travel overview: Bari.