Europe

[Visited: July 2023]

After arriving at our accommodation, we are soon on the way again to Ostuni. We have a short stroll in the city earlier, and then have a tasty lunch where I try my first Pugliese dish. The midday sun is shining relentlessly on the White City, and we decide to come back later. First, we enjoy one of those yummy ice creams that make traveling in Italy such a delight. We drive to our accommodation, just over a half hour to the north, and have some rest in the shade. Then, I am off again, and drive the same road south. The temperature is more comfortable now, and more importantly: the light is much better. I stop a little before reaching the city and take several pictures of the historic centre, that seem like a white shawl draped over a hilltop. It is time to dive in.
With some effort, I manage to find a parking space that doesn't cost a fortune. I walk towards the west side of Ostuni: the sun is slowly sinking behind me and every minute, the light gets better. I walk up a street, and am all but alone when I reach the first houses. The sun comes from behind clouds now, casting its light on the whitewashed houses. Ostuni is dubbed the White City, and indeed: all houses seem to be white. After admiring the houses from the edge of the old town, I find one alley which somehow beckons me to walk in - and so I do. I start exploring the maze of narrow streets and alleys, and seem to have it all to myself. Apart from one specially designed minitruck which is collecting garbage, I see no vehicles and no persons as I make my way higher up.
There are flowers in pots, there are small shops and bars with pillows on stairs outside, but otherwise, I am surrounded by white houses. I come to bigger streets where I see people, and then turn into yet another abandoned alley with more white houses. I have no plan, I decide not to go for the "must-see" places in Ostuni, but just enjoy wandering around randomly. Like this, I stumble upon attractive streets with cobblestones, alleys meandering through valleys of white houses, and then suddenly find myself in front of the 15th century cathedral of Ostuni. Behind it, I see the Palazzo Vescovile, and the loggia joining both buildings. Inside, the remains can be found of the castle that was destroyed in the 16th century. In fact, Ostuni is an ancient city, probably found by the Messapians, which was also destroyed by Hannibal and rebuilt by the Romans. When I leave the historic city centre, I walk down to get another, better glimpse of the White City before the sun sinks behind the horizon.

Around the World in 80 Clicks

Personal travel impressions both in words and images from Ostuni (Italy). Clicking on the pictures enlarges them and enables you to send the picture as a free e-card or download it for personal use, for instance, on your weblog. Or click on the map above to visit more places close to Ostuni.
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Ostuni > Italy > Europe

[Visited: July 2023]

Around the World in 80 Clicks

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