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The ancient Norba, domain of the"Guercio" delle Puglie

History

Conversano breeds black horses with Arab blood, strong ram-like heads, short backs, broad hocks, that are in turn used to breed Lipizzan horses (Lipizzaner). The origins of the city date back to the Iron Age, when indigenous peoples founded a town called Norba, on the highest hill of the area, surrounded by mighty walls of stone. At the center of trade between the greeks colonies in Italy, the coast and the indigenous peoples of the hinterland, Norba lost its autonomy with the Roman occupation of Apulia. But by the mid-eleventh century, with the Norman domination of southern regions of the Italian peninsula, the place became the center of a very wide county , extended to Nardo' (Lecce).
From the second half of the thirteenth century followed several families until the rise of the Acquaviva d'Aragona in 1455 who ruled until 1806.
In the House of Acquaviva d'Aragona also belonged the famous Guercio of Puglia, earl Giangirolamo II (1600-1665) main character of many stories and legends.
He was also great patron giving hospitality to Paul Finoglio, painter from the school of Caravaggio.
In the eighteenth century, however, the earls family devoted to the administration of their goods and often stayed in Naples, leaving invalidate the prestige of the conversanese feud. The Bourbon restoration led to a state of oppression that, as in many other cities of the kingdom, led to the formation of secret societies and active participation in the motion insurrectional.

Main sights:

• Castle and megalithic walls
• Cathedral
• Convento San Benedetto
• Church of St. Cosma and Damian
• Church of S. Maria del Carmine
• Church of S. Maria dell'Isola
• Church of Santa Caterina
• Marchione, earl's summer residence
• Castiglione, rural settlement
• Lakes (sinkholes)
• Gallery
• Museum