Two Grandmothers from Apulia Turned a Medieval Bakery into a European Culinary Hit. In the Italian town of Altamura, two elderly women have breathed new life into the region’s oldest bakery. Their traditional recipes and charisma have made Forno Santa Caterina famous far beyond Italy’s borders. Now, people come here not only for the bread, but also to meet the women behind its revival.
In Altamura, southern Italy, lines are once again forming at the entrance to Forno Santa Caterina. But now people come not only for the famous bread, but also to see Teresa and Graziella—two elderly women who have become the symbol of this bakery with a history dating back to 1306.
Teresa is 87, Graziella is 89, but their age doesn't stop them from working at the ancient oven every day. Their signature phrase “Teresa, attacca,” which starts every video, has become an internet meme. In these clips, they prepare huge bruschettas with olive oil and tomatoes, joke around, and raise toasts to life—winning the hearts of thousands of viewers all over Europe.
Forno Santa Caterina's second youth
The pandemic almost ended the bakery's story: sales fell, and restrictions forced a temporary closure. Everything changed when a local resident shot a short video of Teresa and Graziella and posted it on Instagram. From that moment, Forno Santa Caterina was no longer just a shop, but a magnet for tourists and fans of traditional cuisine.
The bakery is located on Via Annibale di Francia, in the old part of the city. To enter, you have to go down stone steps. Inside are counters filled with bread, focaccia, and sweets, and in the corner, the very same medieval wood-fired oven is still burning.
Tradition and new meaning
Graziella is in charge of the dough and organization, Teresa is responsible for the atmosphere and humor. Together they not only preserve recipes, but make them part of modern culture. Graziella, a mother of twelve, admits: “We make bread, cookies, pasta—everything with love and for the people.”
Their popularity has gone beyond the region: Teresa and Graziella have taken part in joint projects with renowned Italian chefs, and in 2025 they received recognition from TikTok Italia for their contribution to promoting national gastronomy.
Why people are lining up for bread again
The secret to their success is not just in the recipes, but also in real human interaction. People come to see how two elderly women work at the oven with ease and humor, never losing their energy or zest for life. Their work has become an example of how tradition can gain new relevance, even centuries later.
A similar story happened in Spain: the legendary Bar Serra cafe in Badalona closed after decades in business when the owners decided to retire. But in the case of Forno Santa Caterina, continuity proved stronger — and the bakery not only survived, but also became a symbol of renewed interest in the craft.
The story of Teresa and Graziella shows that sometimes true success takes nothing more than loyalty to your craft and openness to the world. Their bread is not just a product, but part of a living culture they continue to pass down from generation to generation.
