Conversano is, with its archaeological heritage, one of the greatest and most ancient town of the Peuceti (ancient native people).

The ancient megalithic walls, some of which can still be seen, represent the origins and strength of a lively and dynamic town, that in the course of time was enriched with history and beautiful art and monuments.
Conversano is a town full of noble palaces, churches, monasteries and works of art. The sobriety and richness of history are noted in the façades, in the belfries, in the interiors and altars: from the austere simplicity of the romanesque Basilica to the gilded pomp of 17th century churches, amidst the history of bishops and abbesses in the centuries-long wars, divided in spirit and time.
In the countryside, there are small ancient rural churches that were used by nobles and peasants.

Not to be missed:
The castle, originally of a trapezoidal shape, it was built by the Norman Goffredo Altavilla round about the year 1000. Between the 15th and 17th century a series of interventions changed the castle from a military fortress in an exclusive residence of the Acquaviva d’Aragona family.

The Picture-Gallery, the old show rooms of the earl Giangirolamo II are residence of the Town Picture-Gallery. The pictorial cycle of the Gerusalemme Liberata by an Italian writer Torquato Tasso is exhibited inside.
San Benedetto of remarkable interest the Romanesque bell tower of the northern façade of the church and the baroque bell tower on the opposite portal. The monastery became the residence of the Mitred Abbesses from 1266 till the beginning of the 19th century.

The Town Museum weights, coins, fragments of weapons, vases and various objects dated back to a period between the Paleolithic and the Roman age.

St. Cosma and Damiano starting from the thirties of the 17th cent., the old church of S. Matthew was transformed by order of the earl Giangirolamo II the Aragona and his wife Isabella Filomaria, devoted to Saints Cosma and Damiano.
The Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption, it has a nave and two aisles, and the façade divided into three parts by pilasters. It was consecrated minor Basilica in 1997.

Archeological remains of interest are to be found in the area around Conversano: the church of Santa Caterina (probably dating from 1100), on an unusual four-leaf-clover plan with its central dome on the tambour is very important, while the Marchione Castle (1730) the summer home of the Counts of Acquaviva, is impressive.