Ostuni

The White Town of Ostuni will show you the charm of Salento

It is worth to visit the old town of Ostuni; the medieval heart of the town, typically mediterranean, with its winding spiral alleys climbing up the hill and its quicklime dazzling white houses. The hill is part of the last foothills of the “Murge” where one can admire the coastal plain with its centennial olive trees on a blue sea background.

Ostuni is a city and comune in the province of Brindisi (Puglia, Italy), located about 8 km from the coast. Its main economic activities include tourism, attracted by its nearby pristine beaches, as well as a vibrant olive and grape agribusiness.

Places to visit

The so-called “Old Town” is Ostuni’s citadel built on top of a hill and still fortified by the ancient walls. Ostuni is regarded as an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” (“La Città Bianca”, in Italian) for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. A monument on its own, the town’s largest buildings are the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace, together with a number of palazzi of the aristocratic families of the region: Aurisicchio, Ayroldi, Bisantizzi, Falghieri, Ghionda, Giovine, Jurleo, Marseglia, Moro, Palmieri, Petrarolo, Siccoda, Urselli, Zaccaria.

In the surrounding countryside there are typical Pugliese “masserie”, fortified large estate-farms, one of which, San Domenico, was once held by the Knights of Malta.