February 28, 2025, 10:38 a.m. | Reading time: 3 minutes
One of the most beautiful cities in the southern Italian region of Apulia is Ostuni. The town, which has around 30,000 inhabitants and its almost entirely white facades, sits on a total of three hills just a few kilometers from the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Sunnytrips reveals what there is to discover there.
Ostuni is also called “La Città Biancha”, i.e. the white city, because of its houses. And actually: according to the title, almost all the buildings here are white. This panorama is particularly impressive from a distance, as the old town of Ostuni is located on a mountain that once served to protect the city from enemies.
Moving history
Sights of Ostuni
Things to see in the area
The location of Ostuni on the map
Moving history
Ostuni has an eventful history. People had already settled here in the Stone Age, as archaeological finds prove. The city was first destroyed around 200 BC by the Carthaginian Hannibal.
Rebuilt by the Greeks, the city was quickly conquered by the Romans. The Romans were again driven out by the Normans in Ostuni after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The Normans had numerous houses, palaces, churches and squares built in the city.
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Under the rule of the Duchess of Bari, Isabella, the Renaissance came to Ostuni. Under their rule, at the beginning of the 16th century, many works of art were created. Following Isabella, the Sforza family from Milan built watchtowers and fortresses to protect against the Turks and Saracens on the coast, which was only separated from Ostuni by olive groves. Nevertheless, as almost everywhere on the Italian coast, there were repeated attacks.
Sights of Ostuni
The picturesque old town of Ostuni attracts thousands of tourists every year. The most important meeting point is the Piazza della Libertà. There, visitors can see the medieval town hall and the Oronzo Column from the Baroque period.
The most famous churches in Ostuni are the cathedral, built in the 15th century, an Italian national monument since 1902, and the Holy Spirit Church, built in the 17th century in baroque style.
Insider tip in ItalyThis city is as beautiful as Florence - only without the crowds of tourists
Vacation in ItalyThe best travel tips for Bari and the Gargano Peninsula in Puglia
Things to see in the area
Not far from Ostuni you can find the extraordinary “Smurf village” of Alberobello with its trulli. It takes about 45 minutes by car to reach the interesting town of Lecce, located about 50 kilometers south. The route also leads via Brindisi - a stop in the beautiful port city is worth it. You should also take a day trip to the coastal town of Taranto on the other side of the boot heel.
The location of Ostuni on the map
Text collaboration: Jasch Zacharias
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