A continuation of a trip that started on Oct 3rd/2023
The short drive from Locorotondo Trulli land to Ostuni - the next visited town and where we spent the night barely took 40 minutes.
Ostuni - The white City
It was late afternoon on Oct 8th, and already quite dark, when we arrived at the charming, fortified hill town overlooking the sea,
The search for a parking spot, the closest to the, steep center that is open onlt to pedestrians, was a challenge but with David's maneuvering skills, got overcame, in no time..
Referred to as "The White City", Ostuni which is among the main towns attracting tourists in Apulia, is an interesting and lively town surrounded by beautiful countryside and is only 8km from the Adriatic Sea with its pristine beaches and warm climate.
Its population of about 32,000 during the winter, can swell to 200,000 inhabitants during summer,
Inhabited for many centuries Ostuni was nearly completely destroyed by Hannibal during the Punic Wars. and later was re-built by the Romans, and the ruled under several conquerors.
Ostuni's buildings were originally coated with a white limestone chalky paint during The Plague's time due to the paint's antibacterial properties, and reflect genuine and charming example of more Mediterranean Greek or Middle Eastern than Italian historical architecture.
The alluring whitewashed buildings, cobbled Medieval streets, a series of levels, staircases, and atmospheric alleys. of the historic Centro lined with ancient piazzas, arches. vibrant cafes and restaurants, create an enchanting destination in another hilltop city.
The "Old Town" is Ostuni's citadel built on top of a hill and still fortified by the ancient walls with the 15th C Ostuni Cathedral in Gothic style
In the center of Piazza della Libertà is a statue of Sant'Oronzo placed on top of a 20m carved steeple. He is actually the patron saint of Lecce but he saved Ostuni from the plague in 1657
City Hall and square
Ostuni is the 5th city in Italy by percentage of British residents and the first for sale of houses and villas. Being an industrial zone and the community's many British and German immigrants, that all adds to the region's producing high quality olive oil and wine. Beautiful plates of local cured meats, homegrown vegetables, olive oil and cool glasses of Puglian wine are worth treating oneself to true feasts.
Hotel we stayed
Palazzo Mascetti- Executive room
Right at the top of the lively center in town, off Piazza della Liberta .
The location is convenient and the rooms are decent, but the steep steps to the second floor ,no elevator, and a missing toilet's top sit, on the night we stayed, clouded our positive impression of it.
Next to the hotel's entrance there is a small recommended dessert/Gellaotto
shop with the same brand name OP
as that of the restaurant we had dinner at
Restaurant Operaprima & Pizzeria
Corso Vittorio Emanuele 48. +39 3405091768. Info@operaprimaostuni.com
Good food and breathtaking view
That afternoon, and after our daughter and her family, who got stranded in Rome because the (Israeli/Hamas) Oct 7th war, told us that they would join us in the south of Italy, so we can stay together, during that unpredictable dreadful time, we changed our travel plans. We left Ostuni...
But instead of driving down south to Gallipoli, we headed north to Polignano-Mare...
To be continued...
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