Many rock churches and cave settlements of incalculable age perforate the crags and ravines above which Laterza is balanced on a dry gulley 200 m deep. Patches of forest soften the arid landscape. The Laterza gully, 10 km long, is popular with rock-climbers and egg-collectors (vultures, kites, buzzards, even sea-eagles have been seen). On its bed is The Stomara Nature Reserve where, by arrangement with the Laterza tourist office, visitors may spend a few days roughing it. The town itself is untidy, the 14thC castle, abbey and many old churches are unremarkable. Tombs of the 2ndC BC have been unearthed here. The whole scene is typical of west Puglia’s landscape of crypts and clefts.