Altamura, Italy

Capital City

Forget the romantic visions of ancient ruins and medieval fairs - Altamura is a gritty, blue-collar town in southern Italy with a population of 70,595. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucratic red tape is a persistent headache for residents. Still, the city boasts a historic Romanesque cathedral and is home to the 130,000-year-old Altamura Man fossil, making it an intriguing destination for archaeology buffs. But for the average expat, Altamura's charms may be outweighed by its challenges.