The Medieval Town of Mottola: No Ordinary Small Town

The medieval town of Mottola in southern Italy's Puglia region is one of many that sit off the beaten path of tourism, due in part because most visitors don't seem to travel further south than Rome or Naples. This is unfortunate, because the town of Mottola is like a hidden gem: sporting a fascinating array of outstanding historical, architectural and artistic points-of-interest such as the Caves of God (see photo), the Crypt of St, Nicholas (see photo) and a "Centro Storico" (historic old town) which has changed very little over the passage of a 1,000 years.

Mottola sits only 28 kilometers from the industrial port city of Taranto (see map), itself an important historic and cultural landmark and only about an hour away from the small port city of Brindisi. This is good news logistically, as it means the town of Mottola is easily accessed by airports and trains in both cities.

Surrounded by nearly 6,000 hectares of forest, the town of Mottola sits atop a small peak, while down below winds the spectacular Canyon of Petruscio a menacing-yet-not-insurmountable ravine in which were carved many grotto or caves. There are actually 7 canyons but the Petrusicio Canyon is the most widely known. The canyon walls are made of Tuffa stone. A white, porus, easily sculpted rock that is unique to the Puglia region.

The grotto or Caves of God as they were called offered pagan worshippers a place to practice their faith. And in fact, the Crypt of St Nicholas is the best preserved example of them all and often referred to as the "Sistine Chapel of cave art", due to the large amount of religious frescoes painted inside.

Fortunately for the adventurer, a remarkable number of these crypts still exist as trekkers often descend down the ravine to explore the ancient river-bed below.

Turn your attention to the town itself and you'll note the Fanelli Arch bids you welcome inside Mottola's Centro Storico. As is the case with most towns and villages in Italy, the "modern city" has grown around it's historic past. Certainly from a tourist's perspective, the Centro Storico; with its cobble stone streets and numerous public squares is a photographer's dream come true.

Four of the most important churches in the Puglia region can be found in the town: the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the Church of the Carmelo, the Church of the Rosary and the Church Matrix, each speaks of a specific time in the town's growth and evolution.

Mottola may be historic in its past but it has kept pace with the present. With no shortage of restaurants, visitors won't go hungry that's for sure. My two favorites in order are La Taverna di Piffero (Via Salvador Allende 104, tel: 099-8861-590. GPS: 40.6382 North x 17.0399 East and Borgo Antico (Piazza plebiscito, 43, tel: 0998861012. GPS: 41.8719 North x 12.5674 East.

There's much more to discover in the town of Mottola, but then that's the allure of small medieval towns such as this: every corner leads to a new surprise and there are many in and around this antique locale.