Valle d’Itria

 

It represents one of the most evocative places in the whole of Puglia; the area includes the well-known Alberobello, UNESCO heritage as the capital of the Trulli, the traditional conical stone buildings, but also the cities of Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca and Ostuni.

We suggest a full immersion in the valley, leaving in an hot afternoon, traveling by car, so to eventually deciding to stop for admiring a settlement of trulli with the croaking of cicadas as soundtrack.

We will first go through Locorotondo and then we will reach Martina Franca; its historic center is teeming with noble palaces, first of all the Palazzo Ducale, now site for the city Hall; the basilica of San Martino, an example of Baroque architecture, stands majestically 200m ahead.

Leaving from there, we can reach Cisternino, the panorama between these two towns is particularly suggestive: the warm colours of our countryside, the majestic groups of Trulli, the gestures of our busy farmers ... everything here is an example of our history and culture!

Finally, we reach Ostuni, the "White city", which stands on a 200m hill and whose houses, completely white of course, dazzle the visitor almost hypnotizing it. After wandering around the old town, we can stop for a drink or dine in a typical little restaurant, as some of the local specialties are particularly tasty: a variant of ham called "capocollo di Martina Franca", guts of cows called  "Turcinieddi", or of the "bombette" of meat of Cisternino, all washed down with the prized wine of Locorotondo.

 

Experiences:   Visit the natural sea reserve of Torre Guaceto

Events:           Valle d’Itria festival (Martina Franca, end of July)

                      Viva Festival (Cisternino, July)