Between 2020 and 2021, theHypogeum of San Michele delle Grotte in Altamura (Bari), also known as the rock church of Sant’Angelo di Larissa (or Larizca), underwent restoration work through Art Bonus, the national mechanism that supports public cultural institutes and venues, opera-symphonic foundations, traditional theaters and other performing arts entities. The action, carried out with public funds and private contributions, has made the site more usable and has allowed progress in the musealization of the caves below. The structure is owned by the Municipality of Altamura and is located outside the ancient city walls, although today it is surrounded by the buildings of the urban periphery, near the church Madonna della Croce, after which the access road is named. The redevelopment of the area (formerly disused), now converted to a public green space, is therefore part of a project that has included the intervention of the Municipality of Altamura on the road system of the surrounding area and the commitment of the ABMC (Archivio Biblioteca Museo Civico - Archive Library Civic Museum), owner of the site, in the restoration of the hypogeum of San Michele, carried out with its own resources and with the contribution of the Region of Puglia. A virtual and interactive tour of the entire hypogeum is also available within the Civic Museum Library Archive portal, which can be accessed at the link: https://www.abmcaltamura.it/ipogeo/.
The entire project, approved and implemented with public and private funds thanks to the Art Bonus, has seen a total collection (currently closed) of 60,000 euros, of which 50,000 was provided by Banca Popolare di Puglia e Basilicata and 10,000 allocated by the Municipality of Altamura. The monitoring and use of funds have been recorded in detail, with main releases made between October and December 2020, totaling 46,853.82 euros, covering the entire planned intervention. The remainder, amounting to 3,146.18 euros, was allocated to maintenance works on the hypogeum, ensuring the conservation of the property and the continuity of the enhancement activities.
The cave is accessed through a front garden, served by a flight of stairs. The chapel, located below street level, welcomes visitors with a shrine depicting the archangel Gabriel on the threshold, probably dating back to the 18th century. Inside, the 1690 tiled floor leads between three naves separated by massive pillars, while fragments of frescoes are preserved along the walls. Of particular artistic interest are the 17th-century altars, carved and decorated in local stone.
The redevelopment project included the complete arrangement of the outdoor area with the aim of making it functional for public enjoyment and enhancement of the site. The main works carried out included the creation of flowerbeds bordered by tuff curbs, the planting of hedges and tall trees to provide shade, and the creation of permeable paving with concrete blocks or grass. The existing tuff block fence was replaced with an exposed metal structure, complemented by an entrance gate. The interventions also included the installation of a lighting system, the installation of street furniture including benches and waste baskets, and the construction of a drinking fountain with related water-sewer system. The arrangement of the area also took into account safety and usability for visitors. The intervention aimed to combine aesthetic and functional criteria, creating an orderly and accessible environment, while respecting the historical and architectural features of the site.
The choice of traditional materials and attention to vegetation helped to integrate the hypogeum with the surrounding context, ensuring a balance between conservation and public use. The project on the Hypogeum of San Michele delle Grotte is thus part of a broader cultural enhancement path, combining public funding with private contributions, aimed at the preservation and promotion of the historical and artistic heritage of the area. The systematized area now allows for a more effective musealization of the caves below, while ensuring safety, accessibility, and a visual and environmental experience consistent with the site’s peculiarities.
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| The Hypogeum of San Michele delle Grotte in Altamura (Bari): the recovery of a rock church |
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