Ostuni, Italy Summary

photo by gusto

OSTUNI is one of the most stunning small towns of southern Italy. Situated on three hills at the southernmost edge of Le Murge, and an important Greco-Roman city in the first century AD, its old centre spreads across the highest of the hills, a gleaming white splash of sun-bleached streets and cobbled alleyways, dominating the plains below. The maze of well-preserved, winding streets makes for a fascinating amble (the evening passeggiata is also well worth sticking around for, especially at the weekend), and there are some exceptional views – particularly from Largo Castello over the woods to the north. Bits of cavorting Baroque twist out of unexpected places, including an ornamented eighteenth-century obelisk, 21m high, dedicated to St Oronzo, which stands in Piazza della Libertà (aka Piazza St Oronzo) on the southern edge of the old town. The Chiesa delle Monacelle, on the main drag from the upper town to the main piazza, has displays on prehistory (daily 9am-1pm & 4.30-10.30pm; winter closes 7.30pm; L3000/1.55), the highlight of which is “Delia”, the skeleton of a pregnant young woman found in a crouched position, her bones decorated before burial. You’ll find the tourist office on Corso Mazzini in the old town during the summer (Mon-Fri 9am-12.30pm & 6-9pm, Sat & Sun 6-9pm; tel 0831.301.268), and at Via Dottor V. Continelli 47 in the new town during the rest of the year (Mon-Fri 8am-2pm & 5-7pm; tel 0831.303.775).