Altamura is a city and comune of Apulia, southern Italy. It is located on one of a hill of the Murge plateau in the province of Bari, 45 kilometres South-West of Bari, close to the border with Basilicata. As of 2011 its population was of 70,288.The city is known for its particular quality of bread called Pane di Altamura, which is sold in numerous other Italian cities. According to the Latin poet Horace: "...for water is sold here, though the worst in the world; but their bread is exceeding fine, inasmuch that the weary traveler is used to carry it willingly on his shoulders."The 400,000 year old calcified Altamura Man was discovered in the nearby limestone cave, called grotta di Lamalunga.
