Ostuni

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An important cultural centre in Salento, Ostuni is also known as the “white city” and is located eight kilometres from the Adriatic coast, in the southern Murgia. The first settlement dates back to the IV – III century B.C. and was established by the Messapi. Destroyed at the end of the Second Punic War, the town was rebuilt by the Romans under which Ostuni flourished. A long period of alternating domination followed the fall of the Roman Empire: the Ostrogoths, Longobards, Normans, Suevians, Angionians and Aragons followed one after another, but none managed to subject the town to feudal rule. After 1800 Ostuni extended its territory by joining the medieval town with its current territory.
Recent archaeological finds confirm human settlements around Ostuni from as early as the Palaeolithic period. In particular, much interest surrounds the well-preserved remains of a woman in labour lying in a large hollow and with a type of hat made out of very small shells.

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Cathedral Santa Maria of the Assumption - Ostuni

Church of Santa Maria della Stella - Ostuni

Church of St. Francis of Assisi - Ostuni

Ostuni e Fasano

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Ostuni’s charm lies in the characteristic white walls of the houses in the old town. In fact, all the houses in the historic centre are only painted using white lime paint. This feature led to the town being called "the white town", the queen of the olive groves" and the "city of the crib".
The entire old town, known as the “Terra” to distinguish it from the more recent "Marina", is worth a visit. It is presented as collection of age-old buildings coated in white limestone and one on top of the other. The centre of the old town is crowned by Ostuni Cathedral, in a style which is difficult to classify, however it is traceable to the Gothic-Romanesque tradition, with Puglia hosting other examples of this architecture. Check out the large door of the Church of Spirito Santo which dates back to 1450 and originally built for the Church of Ognisanti. It is today recognised as a national monument. Other attractions in Ostuni are the 17 kilometres of beach that alternates between sandy little bays, rocks, pebble beaches and dunes covered in Mediterranean maquis. The coastline also hosts a nature reserve in Lido Morelli.
A huge attraction is the Festival of Sant’Oronzo, the patron saint of the town, which takes place from the 25th to 27th of August and which also includes the “Cavalcata” in which the municipality authorities and representatives from the clergy parade on horseback alongside dames and knights in medieval costumes.