Oria: Private Tour of Crypt of Mummies & Torneo dei Rioni – Apulia, Italy

EXPERIENCE:

Start your tour at the Jewish gate, one of three gateways to the city. Walk through Giudecca, the Jewish quarter which thrived in the 9th century. Visit noble and ecclesiastical palaces such as Palazzo Vescovile, Palazzo Martini, Palazzo dei Missionari and the Sedile.

Marvel at the Cathedral Basilica, an 18th-century baroque style church topped with a polychromatic dome and accompanied by a bell tower and clock tower. Visit the Oratory of the Confraternity of Death, a chapel built in 1500 which houses the mummified cadavers of former confrères. Walk the hallowed halls of the Crypt of the Mummies and see the 11 mummies left to the church. See the three trap doors which open up to hidden underground tunnels which lead to the Palomba Tower.

Walk through the Messapian necropolis to Oria’s medieval castle. This Norman castle looms above the city, resting at Oria’s highest elevation. Immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere by exploring the castle’s keep, and it’s two towers: “The Jump,” and “The Knight.” On pre-established dates, you can visit the house within the castle.

Be sure to attend Torneo dei Rinono if you’re visiting in August. This exciting tournament is one of the most important medieval festivals in southern Italy. Watch as four knights, each one representing a different quarter of the city, compete to become the champion of Oria.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

Discover the medieval charm of Oria
Visit the cathedral and its Crypt of the Mummies
Explore the mighty walls of Oria’s medieval castle

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