The 1526 Oven: Tradition and Flavors

In the heart of Daunia, among the green hills of the province of Foggia, lies a unique place where time seems to have stopped. It is the Pane e Salute oven in Orsara di Puglia, active since 1526. A historic oven, now managed by Angelo Di Biccari, master baker and bread maker, custodian of a centuries-old tradition.

The oven is still wood-fired and continues to bake bread, focaccia, and pizzas every day according to ancient recipes, using local ingredients and sourdough. The aroma that wafts at the entrance is an irresistible call for those who love the authentic scents of Apulian cuisine.

Angelo carries on a tradition that has lasted for three generations in his family. Each of his creations is the result of careful selection of flours and a deep respect for the biodiversity of the territory. Angelo's passion for his work is evident in every product that comes out of the oven.

In 1996, to enhance and defend these traditions, the Pane e Salute gastronomic association was born. The goal? To promote the culture of bread, promote peasant cuisine, and offer authentic experiences to visitors. This association represents a bridge between past and future, a way to keep tradition alive.

The Pane e Salute oven is not just a bakery, but a place of storytelling, where each product tells a story. The ancestral pizzas prepared by Angelo, for example, resemble the shape of classic Neapolitan pizzas but have a peasant and rural soul, rooted in the Foggian territory. Every bite is a journey through time, a taste of history.

Visitors to Orsara di Puglia can see firsthand how bread is made in the ancient oven, listen to the stories of the Di Biccari family, and savor flavors that are hard to find elsewhere. It is an experience that engages the senses and the heart, a way to connect with the roots of Apulian gastronomic culture.

But Angelo Di Biccari's story does not stop here. In Foggia, he and his four children manage three highly regarded venues: Salusitri, Ambasciata Orsarese, and Pane e Salute Foggia. In these restaurants, one can taste the dishes created by Angelo over his fifty years of experience in the restaurant world. Each dish is a tribute to tradition, prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

Visiting the oven in Orsara di Puglia is an excellent opportunity to discover not only an extraordinary gastronomic reality but also an authentic village, far from mass tourism. Orsara is a small town immersed in nature, perfect for those seeking slow and quality tourism. Here, culinary experiences can be combined with excursions through trails, vineyards, and rural landscapes.

After a visit to the oven, it is easy to be tempted by a stroll through the historic center or a lunch in one of the local trattorias. Every corner of Orsara tells stories of tradition and culture, making each visit unique and memorable.

The 1526 oven is not just a place where bread is made: it is a symbol of authentic Puglia, a region made of skilled hands, passed-down recipes, and love for the land. Angelo and his family's dedication is an example of how tradition can coexist with modernity.

For those who love gastronomic travel, Orsara di Puglia is a must-stop. And for those seeking true experiences, the Pane e Salute oven is much more than a bakery: it is a window into the history and identity of Puglia, a place where the past and present meet in an embrace of flavors and aromas.