Pulo di Molfetta


Useful Information

Location: Strada Vicinale Pulo, I-70056 Molfetta, Bari(Puglia).
Northwest of Bari. E55 exit Molfetta, towards city center, enter SS16aa towards Bisceglie, leave at first exit and follow road parallel to SS16aa in opposite direction. Turn right on via Ruvo, cross SS16aa, turn right into Strada Vicinale Pulo.
(41.18978938486971, 16.57208664342297)
Open: no restrictions [2022]
Fee: free [2022]
Classification: KarstDoline
Light: n/a.
Dimension: L=170 m, W=130 m, VR=35 m, Circumference=600 m.
Guided tours: self guided
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Pulo di Molfetta, Strada Vicinale Pulo, I-70056 Molfetta, Bari(Puglia).
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History

1900 first archaeological excavations by Mayer.
1980 became inaccessible becaus of an earthquake.
1995 reconstruction work started.
DEC-1997 reconstruction work completed.

Description

The Pulo di Molfetta is located in the village Molfetta. It is a huge collapse doline formed by the collapse of a huge cavern below. The doline walls are steep, sometimes overhanging. There are many small cavities in the walls which were used by man since prehistoric times. It was almost continually inhabited since Neolithic times. The site is one of the most important Neolithic sites of southern Italy.

The rather soft cretaceous limestone of the walls is pretty dry. There are no speleothems on the walls, no remains of former cave walls or dripstones formed since then. The floor is formed by the debris of the collapse, covered by some earth and green vegetation.