Italy’s Southern coast hosts a jewel of a city known as Ostuni. Located within the Brindisi province roughly 8 km (4.9 miles) away from the coast. It is not a large city, with only about 32,000 people living here at any given time; but it does attract people from all over the globe with it’s beautiful beaches and historical architecture.
Ostuni Italy is an Ancient City
Ostuni is located in a region that has been inhabited since the stone age. It is believed to have to been founded by the Messapii, destroyed by the armies of Hannibal during the Punic Wars and then re-built by the Greeks – hence the Ostuni name meaning “new town.”
Ostuni’s history is shown predominately within it’s architecture; with many buildings still standing dating back as far as 990 AD when the city was sacked by the Normans and added to it’s own county. The walls of a castle built on a 229 m hill are the only remaining structure from this time period, with the majority of buildings seemingly dating from 1300 to 1463. The architecture was influenced by the Italian Renaissance during the 1500 and the most notable still standing structures include Pozzella Tower, the Pylon, Villanova and others.
Sights to See in Ostuni Italy
The biggest reason to visit Ostuni is the “Old Town” or Ostuni’s citadel situated on top of a hill which remains fortified to this day. Ostuni is known as the “White City” based on it’s white-painted walls and white buildings.
The largest buildings in the city include the Cathedral and the Bishop’s Palace. The local area hosts typical Pugliese large estate farms which offer thriving grape and olive growing businesses. The city itself is one of the most famous town in Apulia simply because of it’s baroque-style churches and fantastic views.
Ostuni’s summer population increases dramatically to over 100,000 people annually. It has a large community of British citizens and is Italy’s fifth city to have such a high percentage of ex-pats from the British Isles. People flock to Ostuni for it’s warm, sunny weather, delicious foods and tasty wines.
The majority of its tourists visit from Northern Europe, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany and Scandinavia. However, it is possible to spot visitors from other regions as well such as North Americans; especially those drawn to its historical significance and opulent surroundings.