Casamassima

Casamassima is a town in the province of Bari (BA) in the Italian region called Apulia (Puglia). It is well-known for its medieval hamlet, and increasingly identified with the name "Paese Azzurro", in English "Blue Town", a fairy tale-like place with walls of the houses all painted light blue. Casamassima reminds tourists of the Moroccan city of Chefchaouen, which is called the "Blue Pearl".

Understand

via Paliodoro

Casamassima is at a central position in the province of Bari, a good point to reach other popular tourist sites of Puglia and Basilicata.

Unlike Casamassima, the other old town centres in the area are painted in white. This reason for the difference is that the inhabitants of this town made a vow to the Virgin Mary of Constantinople in the 17th century.

History

The oldest official document attesting the existence of Casamassima, founded at the time of the Romans, was discovered a little after the placiti cassinesi, legal testimonies dated back to 960-963 AD.

This historical source regards a morgengabio, in Deutsch morgengabe, which was, according to the old Longobard costume, the portion of goods donated from a husband to his bride after the day after the night of the wedding.

The document, stored in the archive of St Sabino's Cathedral, in Bari, is one of the few occurring examples proving the existence of Casamassima as an organized community at the end of the 10th century.

Casamassima has undergone the power of many Apulian lords for centuries, constantly obeying to the will of the neighboring feuds as Conversano and Acquaviva delle Fonti, increasing its importance further on. Proving these historical facts, we can find a castle in the ancient village.

This part of the old Casamassima has a medieval origin, having started growing from the 8th century around a Norman tower, which was then expanded, transforming into a castle.

In 1658 Bari was hit by a plague epidemic, probably coming from mariners of a ship arrived to the port and, after a few, more than 20,000 inhabitans of the county town got infected and died. The duke Odoardo Vaaz, in Casamassima, with a bylaw, ordered to retaint the building block, monuments and church, mixing the blue paint with quicklime, probably copper sulfate. Thus, the town got rid of the plague and a fresco was realized, to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary of Constantinople, as a way of thanksgiving and honor a duke's vow.

In the 1960s, the Milanese painter Vittorio Viviani, being struck by Casamassima's peculiar trait, started representing the old town in his paintings and called it "Il Paese Azzurro", in English "The Blue Town". The layerings of blue lime on the old buildings prove the town's unique past, which distinguishes itself from the other typical Apulian residential areas, painted white, showing blue's cromatic hues.

Get in

By plane

Airport in Bari (Palese), then by train/car/bus. The airport is 30 km away from Casamassima. Well-known airlines connect Bari with the main Italian and European cities.

Airport in Brindisi-Casale is 1053 km away, but it's well-connected with Salento.

By bus

From Bari, bus line "Ferrovie Sud-Est" or "Miccolis". From Rome, take Flixbus. Don't forget to validate your ticket before you get on the bus!

By train

Railroad direction Bari-Putignano, using "Ferrovie Sud-Est". Local trains depart from "Bari Centrale" station almost every 60 minutes. Don't forget to validate your ticket before you get on the train!

By car

• Highway A14 (Autostrada A14) Bari-Taranto
• Superstrada SS 100 Bari-Casamassima km 19.4
• Statale 172 dei Trulli direction Putignano and Alberobello

Get around

• The modern town
• The old town
• Barialto, residential area slightly out of town

See

• Santa Chiara's Arch
• Door Clock
• Arch of the Shadows
• Abbey of Saint Angelo
• Monacelle building
• Addolorata's Auditorium
• "Santa Croce" Church

Do

• Pentolaccia Casamassimese. First weekend of Lent. "Pentolaccia Casamassimese" is the main event to attend during Carnival in the town and among the most important ones in the neighborhood. In 1977, during Carnival, there was the introduction of the first "Pentolaccia", in English called "piñata", a pot made of earthenware, hanging from a crane, which contains sweets and other objects loved by children. From that time on, a group of local artists started the first association with the purpose of building carnival floats and creations out of paper mache.
  The "Pentolaccia" started being renowned at a regional level thanks to parades of carnival floats, dance exhibitions, masked groups and special guests during first weekend of Lent. This tradition, in 2012, has been awarded the High Patronage of the President of the Republic and since 2016 it's a component of the Ancient Carnivals of the Ministry of culture. It consists in a parade of paper mache carnival floats and masked groups, dance and singing performances, traditional parties in the dance halls and various types of entertainment. (updated Jun 2024)
• Balcone Fiorito. Spring. "Balcone Fiorito" it's a compound of different experiences in a multisensorial way, taking place in the ancient town, which includes art expositions of painting and photographs, gigs, public lectures and flea markets: the aim is to promote and enhance the place's characteristic traits, hand-made manufacts and art. (updated Jun 2024)
• Cena Azzurra. June. This event lasts one evening and it is organized during "Balcone Fiorito" festival, in the old town. The name recalls the distinctive sky-blue colour of the old town. It consists of a fancy and chic dinner, attended with blue clothes and enriched by blue plates and tablecloths. (updated Jun 2024)
• Blue Christmas. December. An original and dream-like series of Christmas events, always drawing inspiration from the sky-blue motif. (updated Jun 2024)

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Go next

Many cities in Puglia and Basilicata are popular with visitors.