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Ostuni

Ostuni

One of the prettiest towns in the Brindisi province of Puglia is Ostuni. This charming, fortified hill town is known as La Città Bianca (The White City) due to its whitewashed buildings and city walls which give it a very exotic feel, more Greek or Middle Eastern than Italian. The stark white of the town is broken up by some beautiful historical architecture, all of which stands out majestically from its surroundings.

Map of Ostuni

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Ostuni, ostuni italy
Ostuni Cathedral - Photo: www.understandingitaly.com

The largest and most interesting buildings are:

The late 15th century cathedral

This is an impressive building which was built in the Gothic style. It has graceful lines, rich carvings and a beautiful doorway and rose window. It is rather cramped by the surrounding buildings which makes it difficult to view the full impact of its magnificent architecture.

The Bishop's Palace

Built around 1560 with a bridge connecting the palace to the cloisters of the cathedral.

The church of San Vito Martire

A very ornate building this church was built between 1750 and 1752 in the Baroque style. The outside is extremely ornate and the inside luxurious.

Ostuni, ostuni italy
The Bishop's Palace- Photo: www.understandingitaly.com

In the centre 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 and the statue was built in his honour (and the hope that he would continue to fight off future plagues) in 1771.

Ostuni, ostuni italy
Piazza della Libertà- Photo: www.understandingitaly.com

There is evidence to prove that Ostuni and its surrounding area have been inhabited since the Stone Age. It was originally created by a pre-classic tribe called the Messapii who at that time occupied most of what is now the region of Puglia. It was completely destroyed between 218 BCE - 201 BC by Hannibal during the second Punic War. It was later built up again by the Greeks and called 'Astu Néon' (meaning 'New Town') from which it is believed the name 'Ostuni' is derived.

Ostuni is in an enviable position; it 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. There is little wonder therefore that the main economic activity of the town is tourism. The surrounding countryside is very fertile and has a large grape and olive oil industry.

Ostuni, ostuni italy
Surrounding countryside- Photo: www.understandingitaly.com

Ostuni is a delightful place to be. The narrow streets and alleyways provide endless hours of entertainment. You could just wander through them taking in the exotic atmosphere, sit in one of the many bars or restaurants or browse through the multitude of small, fascinating shops.

Ostuni, ostuni italy
Ostuni- Photo: www.understandingitaly.com

Most of the streets are packed with artists selling local arts and crafts including ceramics, sculptures, carvings and paintings. The items being produced and sold are not cheap but are completely unusual works of art and well worth taking home to remind you of your stay in Ostuni.

Ostuni
Population: 31,710
Male: 15,023
Female: 16,687
Population density: 141.8 per square km

More information here

Flag of Puglia
Puglia flag
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 19,366 km²
      Population: 4 million
      Density: 210/km²
      Capital: Bari

      National Parks:
      The Alta Murgia National Park
      The Gargano National Park
Location of Puglia
Location of Puglia
Provinces of Puglia
Puglia provinces
  • Comunes of Puglia
    • Bari
      • Acquaviva delle Fonti
        Adelfia
        Alberobello
        Altamura
        Bari
        Binetto
        Bitetto
        Bitonto
        Bitritto
        Capurso
        Casamassima
        Cassano delle Murge
        Castellana Grotte
        Cellamare
        Conversano
        Corato
        Gioia del Colle
        Giovinazzo
        Gravina in Puglia
        Grumo Appula
        Locorotondo
        Modugno
        Mola di Bari
        Molfetta
        Monopoli
        Noci
        Noicàttaro
        Palo del Colle
        Poggiorsini
        Polignano a Mare
        Putignano
        Rutigliano
        Ruvo di Puglia
        Sammichele di Bari
        Sannicandro di Bari
        Santeramo in Colle
        Terlizzi
        Toritto
        Triggiano
        Turi
        Valenzano

    • Barletta-Andria-Trani
      • Andria
        Barletta
        Bisceglie
        Canosa di Puglia
        Margherita di Savoia
        Minervino Murge
        San Ferdinando di Puglia
        Spinazzola
        Trani
        Trinitapoli

    • Brindisi
      • Brindisi
        Carovigno
        Ceglie Messapica
        Cellino San Marco
        Cisternino
        Erchie
        Fasano
        Francavilla Fontana
        Latiano
        Mesagne
        Oria
        Ostuni
        San Donaci
        San Michele Salentino
        San Pancrazio Salentino
        San Pietro Vernotico
        San Vito dei Normanni
        Torchiarolo
        Torre Santa Susanna
        Villa Castelli

    • Foggia
      • Accadia
        Alberona
        Anzano di Puglia
        Apricena
        Ascoli Satriano
        Biccari
        Bovino
        Cagnano Varano
        Candela
        Carapelle
        Carlantino
        Carpino
        Casalnuovo Monterotaro
        Casalvecchio di Puglia
        Castelluccio dei Sauri
        Castelluccio Valmaggiore
        Castelnuovo della Daunia
        Celenza Valfortore
        Celle di San Vito
        Cerignola
        Chieuti
        Deliceto
        Faeto
        Foggia
        Ischitella
        Isole Tremiti
        Lesina
        Lucera
        Manfredonia
        Mattinata
        Monte Sant’Angelo
        Monteleone di Puglia
        Motta Montecorvino
        Ordona
        Orsara di Puglia
        Orta Nova
        Panni
        Peschici
        Pietramontecorvino
        Poggio Imperiale
        Rignano Garganico
        Rocchetta Sant’Antonio
        Rodi Garganico
        Roseto Valfortore
        San Giovanni Rotondo
        San Marco in Lamis
        San Marco la Catola
        San Nicandro Garganico
        San Paolo di Civitate
        San Severo
        Sant’Agata di Puglia
        Serracapriola
        Stornara
        Stornarella
        Torremaggiore
        Troia
        Vico del Gargano
        Vieste
        Volturara Appula
        Volturino

    • Lecce
      • Acquarica del Capo
        Alessano
        Alezio
        Alliste
        Andrano
        Aradeo
        Arnesano
        Bagnolo del Salento
        Botrugno
        Calimera
        Campi Salentina
        Cannole
        Caprarica di Lecce
        Carmiano
        Carpignano Salentino
        Casarano
        Castri di Lecce
        Castrignano de’ Greci
        Castrignano del Capo
        Castro
        Cavallino
        Collepasso
        Copertino
        Corigliano d’Otranto
        Corsano
        Cursi
        Cutrofiano
        Diso
        Gagliano del Capo
        Galatina
        Galatone
        Gallipoli
        Giuggianello
        Giurdignano
        Guagnano
        Lecce
        Lequile
        Leverano
        Lizzanello
        Maglie
        Martano
        Martignano
        Matino
        Melendugno
        Melissano
        Melpignano
        Miggiano
        Minervino di Lecce
        Monteroni di Lecce
        Montesano Salentino
        Morciano di Leuca
        Muro Leccese
        Nardò
        Neviano
        Nociglia
        Novoli
        Ortelle
        Otranto
        Palmariggi
        Parabita
        Patù
        Poggiardo
        Porto Cesareo
        Presicce
        Racale
        Ruffano
        Salice Salentino
        Salve
        San Cassiano
        San Cesario di Lecce
        San Donato di Lecce
        San Pietro in Lama
        Sanarica
        Sannicola
        Santa Cesarea Terme
        Scorrano
        Seclì
        Sogliano Cavour
        Soleto
        Specchia
        Spongano
        Squinzano
        Sternatia
        Supersano
        Surano
        Surbo
        Taurisano
        Taviano
        Tiggiano
        Trepuzzi
        Tricase
        Tuglie
        Ugento
        Uggiano La Chiesa
        Veglie
        Vernole
        Zollino

    • Taranto
      • Avetrana
        Carosino
        Castellaneta
        Crispiano
        Faggiano
        Fragagnano
        Ginosa
        Grottaglie
        Laterza
        Leporano
        Lizzano
        Manduria
        Martina Franca
        Maruggio
        Massafra
        Monteiasi
        Montemesola
        Monteparano
        Mottola
        Palagianello
        Palagiano
        Pulsano
        Roccaforzata
        San Giorgio Ionico
        San Marzano di San Giuseppe
        Sava
        Statte
        Taranto
        Torricella

Hotels in Puglia
Hotels in Puglia
PugliaWEATHER
Puglia Climate (Bari)
  High Low Sun Rain
Jan 9 2 3 55
Feb 11 3 4 53
Mar 13 4 5 63
Apr 17 7 6 55
May 21 11 8 35
Jun 25 15 9 44
Jul 28 17 10 34
Aug 28 17 9 54
Sep 25 14 7 61
Oct 20 11 6 74
Nov 15 8 4 71
Dec 12 3 3 77
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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