Ancient traces of Norba
Megalithic Walls and Ancient Gate
The historical foundations of Conversano, its imposing Cyclopean walls and the ancient entrance to the town
The megalithic walls of Conversano, dating back to the Iron Age, are among the oldest reminders of the town’s past. Built when the settlement was known as Norba, these defensive structures, made of large stone blocks, are still visible at various points throughout the historic centre. They represent a rare example of cyclopean architecture in Puglia.
Alongside them, the memory of the city’s ancient gate, once known as Porta Maggiore, which served as the main entrance to the fortified town, lives on.
Today, these sites are among Conversano’s main historical attractions, offering a fascinating journey through archaeology, history and urban identity.
Norba and the origins of Conversano
Conversano traces its origins back to the Iron Age, between the 8th and 6th centuries BC, when it was known as Norba. The name means ’settlement enclosed within a circular hollow“, a direct reference to its urban layout, which was protected by walls. Thanks to its strategic position between the coast and the hills, Norba soon became an important cultural and commercial centre, as evidenced by the artefacts housed in the Archaeological Museum of Conversano.
The megalithic walls: protection and identity
In the 6th century BC, at the height of its splendour, Norba was fortified with a majestic set of walls built from large blocks of hewn stone, using the Cyclopean technique. These megalithic walls remain one of the city’s oldest and most fascinating landmarks to this day.
Several sections of the walls are still visible in the historic centre, integrated into the current urban landscape:
Near the Porta del Lauro (or Tarantina), where the historical stratification is clearly visible: the medieval walls are built upon the older megalithic structures
In Vico IV Martucci, a narrow alleyway in the village where stones protrude from between the houses;
Beneath the Norman Tower of the Aragonese Castle, a testament to architectural continuity through the centuries;
In Piazza XX Settembre, beneath the belvedere, where the old and the new meet.
These ancient stones are not merely archaeological remains: they bear witness to the city’s origins, and can still be seen today by those who know how to look.
Ancient City Gate: the entrance that no longer exists
Until the early nineteenth century, the oldest of the city gates stood between the Acquaviva d’Aragona Castle and the city walls: the Porta Maggiore, also known as the Porta del Castello. It was the main entrance to the town, adorned with two symbols of its identity: the coat of arms of Conversano and a high relief of the Archangel Michael, who served as the protector of the town’s gateway.
In 1828, with the construction of the new “Mediterranea” road, the gate was demolished to facilitate the link with Rutigliano and Castellana. However, to ensure that the memory of this important gateway was not lost, the coat of arms and the high relief were preserved and displayed on the wall of the building opposite the castle, where they can still be seen today.
Today, the Porta Antica no longer exists, but its memory lives on in the stones and decorations that tell its story: a vanished gateway that continues to shape the urban identity of Conversano.
Why visit these testimonials
The megalithic walls and the Porta Antica are tangible reminders of Conversano’s long and complex history. Strolling amongst these ruins is like entering into a dialogue with over two thousand years of history, where every stone tells the story of an era, a purpose and a meaning.
They are not just places to look at: they are spaces to rediscover, where the past meets the present in the heart of the village.
It will be a journey through ancient silences and memories of stone, to be experienced with curious eyes and an open mind.
