The best road cycling routes around San Ferdinando Di Puglia

The Via Francigena del Sud leads through Canosa di Puglia and here it is beautiful in the evening on the square in front of the Cattedrale di San Sabino. People gather under wonderfully illuminated palm trees, stroll and chat. It is a joy

Pleasant and enjoyable historic center with its architecture and views over the valley with Mount Vulture, a wonderful neighbor Great effort to get up by bike or on foot but the panorama repays everything

The site of Canne della Battaglia is mainly remembered for the decisive battle of 216 BC, fought between the Romans and Carthaginians during the Second Punic War. The hilly reliefs overlooking the Ofanto valley have been inhabited since the Neolithic period and continuously until the 3rd century BC, most likely in conjunction with the epic clash that disrupted the settlement patterns of the entire area. In Roman times, it is recalled in the sources as the emporium of Canusium, in whose shadow it lived until the latter's abandonment in the second half of the 9th century. From this moment, Canne began its most important historical phase, linked to the stabilization of Byzantine power in Puglia. Thanks to its strategic position, the Cannese village, likely built on a pre-existing Roman structure and known today as the 'Cittadella', was re-occupied from the late antique period and consolidated in the following centuries, around two main centers, the basilicas and the castle, also thanks to the establishment of a diocese, led, in the early 12th century, by Ruggero, the current patron saint of Barletta. The antiquarium annexed to the archaeological park was created in the late 1950s for the valorization and conservation of artifacts from excavations conducted in the area, starting from the Ventennio, a period of frenetic exaltation of Roman grandeur. Today's exhibition favors the narration of events related to the Second Punic War and the great battle that represented a trauma for the surrounding territory and for the indomitable Roman army. However, according to the current state of research, no archaeological documentation referring to the clash of 216 BC has yet been found, nor can the reconstruction of the landscape on these hills, as described by historical sources, particularly Livy and Polybius, be considered plausible. Rather, the site of Canne, in addition to being located in an area of great landscape and natural value, constitutes, to this day, one of the most interesting examples of abandoned medieval settlements in Italy.

A city of great interest for archaeology enthusiasts. The most scenic routes wind along the Ofanto River, on the ridge leading to the Madonna di Ripalta, between Cefalicchio and Loconia (remains of a USAAF base), along the Locone reservoir, and toward the Murge, near Minervino.

Pedestrian area. Castle visits are available for a fee.

216 BC. Museum, ruins of the old city built on the site of the Carthaginian camp. Entrance to the museum is 6 euros. You can lock your bike nearby.

In summer, departure between 6.30 and 7 am is preferable due to traffic and weather.

The route starts at the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli and then heads straight towards Castel del Monte. There are two really tough uphill sections (for me) with gradients of 7 to 9%. The return leg is almost entirely downhill, reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h, with the exception of two or three steep sections.