Location guide to Ostuni

The olive tree is the symbol of Apulia, the most important region in the world for the production of extra virgin olive oil. This is due to the ancient forests of olive groves that cover this entire region, more than 60 million trees, most of which are more than 50 years old, some even believed to be over 3000 years old.

It is amazing to think that the very same trees that exist today could have offered their fruits to the ancient Greeks and Romans. You cannot help but be enchanted as you travel the coastal road that climbs up towards Ostuni, surrounded by landscapes that are truly nature’s masterpieces.

Enormous trunks, solid and contorted, continue for miles complemented by the manmade beauty of the dry stone walls and the farms that are laid out before you. In the distance, the shiny white of Ostuni entices the visitor onwards, but there is no rush. The approach deserves to be savoured.

What to see and do

1. The Cathedral with its Gothic and Romanesque architecture
2. The huge walls that still surround Ostuni
3. The San Francesco Church and adjacent former convent, now the city hall, both situated in the main piazza where you can also admire the column dedicated to St. Oronzo, the town's patron saint
4. The Museum of Civilisation where you can meet Delia, the skeleton of a woman with her child
5. The ancient towers of Villanova, Pozzella and Pilone, which today mark the site of three renowned bathing areas
6. St. James Church, which after the Cathedral, is the most important sacred monument in the historic centre
7. The olive groves filled with their ancient trees that are amongst the most beautiful in Apulia.
8. The Benedictine Covent which is still inhabited by cloistered nuns
9. A day trip to Martina Franca, perhaps the most elegant town in Apulia
10. A trip to Alberobello to see the Trulli houses

Events
August – The Festival of Saint Oronzo
The main event on the Ostuni calendar is the 'Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo' that takes place between 25th and 27th August. The tradition dates back to 1793 and includes a procession, where the saint's statue is taken through the streets of the town by costumed knights on horseback wearing the traditional white and red colours of Napoleonic times. Even the horses are decked out in costume.
To participate in this event, as a horseback-rider, is a prestigious honour for the local people who turn out in impeccable uniform with capes and plumed hats. The dressing of the knight is a ritual that involves the whole family, reminiscent in many ways of the lead up to a traditional bull fight.
There are also a couple of other festivals to watch out for:
August 15th: The Festival of Old Times
February 3rd: The Feast of San Biagio

Food and Drink

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This is the main product used in Ostuni cooking. Visitors wanting to enjoy the best landscapes, tastes and smells of the olive region should follow the ‘Strada dell’Olio’. This route, starting in Fasano, heads towards Osino and was devised for exactly this purpose, taking in the best local producers with opportunities for tasting and buying on the way.
Ground Corn
This ancient dish is made in a very simple way using a mortar and pestle to grind corn which is then left to soak for a day, cooked in a clay pot and then seasoned with tomato and cheese, or whatever you have available. Originally it was dish for very poor people but it has recently been revived and is served by the best chef’s in Ostuni.

Spotlight on Ostuni’s Cathedral
Ostuni’s Cathedral is one of the best examples of gothic art in southern Italy. Construction started in 1469 after an earthquake irreparably damaged the original Roman temple and took more than 30 years to complete.
The new facades were created in a concave and convex style, heavily influenced by what was happening in Venice at the time. The Venetians were masters of the seas and their power influenced not only art but politics along the Adriatic coast. Note the magnificent rose window which is amongst the largest in the world and is ornately decorated with a figure of Christ at its centre.
However a great disappointment awaits the visitor who steps inside. The church has undergone several renovations over the centuries both as a result of damage by earthquakes and questionable design modifications which have included the bricking up of the rose window from the inside.

How to Get There
Ostuni is situated between Bari and Brindisi, it is instantly recognisable to visitors due to its traditional white houses that line the streets of the historic centre.
By Air
Brindisi airport is 39km away whilst Bari airport is 96km from Ostuni both with good connections across Italy and to major European cities.
By Car
Take the A14 to Bari and then the SS16 bis to exit Ostuni-Villanova and follow minor roads for another 6km.
Other
Ostuni is on the Adriatic train line with regular connections to Bari and Brindisi but note that the station is 3km from the town centre.