GravinaFestival
The art and heritage festival in Gravina in Puglia
About GravinaFestival
A project dedicated to art and heritage
GravinaFestival is a cultural event that brings Gravina in Puglia, a Murgia town in the province of Bari, to life every summer. Born as a "project of Art and Heritage," the festival is conceived and promoted by Professor Marisa D'Agostino, president of the Associazione Amici della Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi, creating a calendar of events dedicated to enhancing the history, culture, and traditions of the region.
This is not a music festival or a food fair: GravinaFestival is a sophisticated, widespread cultural event that selects the city's most evocative locations—from the Pinacoteca of the E. P. Santomasi Foundation to the Cloister of Santa Sofia and the rock-hewn archaeological sites—to tell the story of Gravina through archaeology, numismatics, medieval history, and live performance.
Archaeology, history, and Frederick II
One of the festival's core themes is archaeology: several events are held during the European Archaeology Days, with the participation of scholars, heritage authorities, and research institutes focused on Magna Graecia. Alongside this, the festival dedicates significant space to the figure of Frederick II of Swabia, the Stupor Mundi, who left a profound mark on all of Puglia: conferences and performances reconstruct the life of his itinerant court, featuring festivities, music, exotic animals, and the many languages spoken at court.
A widespread festival in the Murgia town
The itinerant format is part of GravinaFestival's identity: each edition transforms monuments, churches, cloisters, and archaeological sites into stages, inviting citizens, enthusiasts, and visitors to rediscover the heritage of Gravina in Puglia. Collaboration with groups like Teatroppiù APS adds a theatrical and narrative dimension to the scientific program, featuring readings, dramatizations, and historical re-enactments.
Supported by the Municipality of Gravina in Puglia and, in some editions, under the patronage of the Regional Council of Puglia, the festival has established itself over the years as a key cultural reference point in the Bari hinterland, capable of combining high-level historical research with public engagement.
GravinaFestival — edition 2026
The ninth edition of GravinaFestival confirms the widespread and multidisciplinary vocation of the event promoted by the Associazione Amici della Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi. From June 14 to July 12, 2026, Gravina in Puglia hosts conferences, archaeological presentations, and theatrical performances, under the patronage of the Municipality of Gravina in Puglia and the Regional Council of Puglia.
The festival opens with a focus on archaeology for the European Archaeology Days and continues with a tribute to Frederick II of Swabia and classical theatrical storytelling, in collaboration with Teatroppiù APS.
Programme GravinaFestival 2026
Saturday, June 14 — European Archaeology Days
- 10:30 AM — Presentation of the Parco di Santo Stefano archaeological area, by the Amici della Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi, for the European Archaeology Days.
Saturday, June 27 — Cloister of Santa Sofia
Conference "At the Court of Frederick II", dedicated to daily life at the court of the Stupor Mundi (1194-1250): the itinerant court, exotic animals, languages spoken, and the emperor's cultural interests.
- Introduction to the themes by Prof. Marisa D'Agostino, president of the Association.
- Lecture by Prof. Pasquale Corsi (Società di Storia Patria per la Puglia – Bari): "Festivities, games, and music at the court of Frederick II".
- Closing performance "Under the sky of the Stupor Mundi: the flight of the dove and the song of the falcon", with Stefania Carulli, Maria Dibattista, and Chiara Lorusso — a fusion of theater, storytelling, and historical re-enactment, in collaboration with Teatroppiù APS.
Sunday, July 5
- "Aristophanic Narration – Lysistrata": reading and dramatization dedicated to the classical comedy by Aristophanes.
The festival continues with further events until July 12, 2026.
Highlights GravinaFestival 2026
Prices GravinaFestival 2026
Practical information — GravinaFestival
Location
GravinaFestival events take place in various locations within the historic center of Gravina in Puglia (BA): the Pinacoteca of the E. P. Santomasi Foundation (Via Museo 20), the Cloister of Santa Sofia, and the city's archaeological areas.
Getting there
Gravina in Puglia can be reached by car via the SS96 Bari-Altamura road and by train via the Ferrovie Appulo Lucane line (Bari-Matera). All festival venues are within walking distance from the town center.
Information
Organized by the Associazione Amici della Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi. For the updated program, schedules, and any booking requirements, please contact the association via email ([email protected]) or visit the official website.
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Where does it take place — GravinaFestival
Fondazione Ettore Pomarici Santomasi
Via Museo 20, 70024 Gravina in Puglia