Ostuni in Italy

Known as the Citta Bianca, Ostuni is a gleaming white town, framed by the hilly Puglian landscape and the azure waters of Salento. At the Centro Storico or Old Town, dazzling whitewashed buildings are linked with winding alleys and quaint arches. Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine details are reflected in the majestic Ostuni Cathedral. The arched Porta San Demetrio marks one of the two remaining medieval city gates, while to the northwest is the Santuario di Sant’Oronzo complex, with a triumphal arch. Witness the prehistoric wealth of the city at the Civic Museum and Archaeological Park that is perhaps most famous for Ostuni 1, the skeleton of a woman from Paleolithic times. Visit a Masseria or a traditional estate where you can stroll through lush olive groves, and savor a leisurely lunch in a shaded courtyard. Yet another distinctive architectural feature of the region is the Trulli or conical buildings that were used in the past for housing, storage, and shelter. Head out of town to catch a gorgeous sunset by the Salento Sea or return to the vibrant bustle of Piazza della Liberta to settle down at a charming trattoria, perhaps with a glass of local wine.