A small town, but an absolutely stunning one, Ostuni is known as La Citta Bianca, 'the white city', with its gleaming whitewashed houses providing a dazzling vision from the valley below. The town sits on three hills at the southernmost extent of Le Murge in Puglia's Brindisi region, between the towns of Monopoli and Brindisi on Italy's southern Adriatic coast. As well as being very lovely it's very old. Inhabited since the Stone Age, myth has it that it was founded by the Messapii tribe, and sacked by Hannibal during the Punic Wars. In fact, the world 'Ostuni' derives from the Greek for 'new town' (from the city being rebuilt after being razed at the fall of the Roman Empire). In Puglia, old really means old.
Its beautiful old centre sits on the highest of the trio of hills, the white buildings along cobbled streets. Sights include the Chiesa della Monacelle (the cathedral), the Bishop's Palace, and palazzi belonging to the historically powerful families of the region, among them Falghieri, Ghionda and Giovine. There are also a few of the towers built in the 16th century reign of Bona Sforza to protect the shoreline from invading Turks. Around the town is fertile grape and olive country, and large estate farms (or 'masserie') fan out from Ostuni. The patron saint of the town is St Oronzo, whose three-day festa is held each 25-27 August.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Ostuni hotels.
