City of art and capital of the Itria Valley

Martina Franca rises up on the east low hills of the Murgia, at equal from both the Adriatic and the Ionic seas; indeed, it benefits from a privileged position, as it is central to the most important cultural sites and landscapes of Apulia. Martina Franca is a melting pot of history and art. For more than 40 years it has been hosting the Festival of the Itria Valley, among the most important opera festivals in Italy. Its historical center with dominant white tones is made precious by the magnificent portals and balconies of the old elegant mansions in Rococo style, among which it’s worth mentioning the sumptuous Palazzo Ducale, but also Palazzo Martucci, Palazzo dell’Università, Palazzo Motolese, Palazzo Maggi, Palazzo Ancona and, still within the medieval city walls, the imposing Basilica of San Martino, which preserves sculptures by Stefano da Putignano and by Giuseppe Sammartino. If you wish to discover the rural soul of this territory, you should explore the countryside, where characteristic Trulli, beautiful masserie and plantations framed by dry stone walls and by wild scents stand out. Various products from the agri-food and wine industry are noteworthy: among them the Capocollo of Martina Franca (Slow Food product), the podolic caciocavallo cheese, and wines of two local varieties, Verdeca and Bianca d’Alessano. On the 11th of November the inhabitants of Martina Franca celebrate their patron saint, San Martino, to whom the city partly owes its name, as he saved Martina’s residents from the Saracen invasions.

• Palazzo Ducale
• Basilica of San Martino
• Nobel palaces
• The Carmine church
• The regional nature reserve “Bosco delle Pianelle”

The city of ceramics

Grottaglie finds its origins in the surrounding spectacular green canyons, a territory marked by the presence of ravines, where many caves were excavated. The city of Grottaglie was made famous worldwide by the art of working ceramics: around its historical center, characterized by winding streets and by low-vault houses, extends the “ceramics district”: here the creativity of the artisans gives birth to refined terracotta works. In more than 50 workshops artisans still use the traditional lathes to create plates, vases, holy water fonts, ladies and knights and the famous “pomo” in enamelled ceramic, symbol or the ceramicist art of Grottaglie, an art that has been handed down from father to son. In the moat of a castle of the 1400 for centuries artisans have been shaping and decorating clay: a scenery that is unique in the world. Artisan works also celebrate the patron St. Cyrus and the occasion of the lighting of the pyre on the 31^st of august, a bonfire that burns in memory of the martyrdom of Grottaglie’s patron saint.

• Castle Episcopio and Torre Maestra
• “Carriero”, artisan shop in a cave
• Rocky church of Santa Barbara
• Church and convent of San Francesco di Paola

Distance from Martina Franca: 26km – 24 minutes

The city of the hundred districts

The beautiful Monopoli overlooks the Adriatic Sea and is introduced by the castle and its ancient walls. The city is known for its 99 districts, called “contrada”, which extend on a flat area, embraced by the splendid Loggia del Pilato’s “belvedere”, a natural terrace to admire an authentic landscape made of fortified masserie, churches, rocky settlements and villas. Symbol of the city is the monumental Castel dedicated to Carlo V, which hosts expositions, conferences and today is site of the municipal Archeological Museum. The fortified masserie are well preserved or they were restored with care; they are located in the heart of the marine landscape, in the area of the low hills and in the flat hinterland. Monopoli is also a hamlet for fishermen; it was founded on the seaside and presents a 15km coastline which is low and indented, characterize by numerous coves and long sandy beaches. Special celebrations for the city are dedicated to St. Cosma and Damiano, and to the memory of the landing of the raft with the icon of Madonna della Madia.

• Botanical garden Lama degli Ulivi, with its caves, rocky churches and 2000 vegetal species.
• Cathedral of Santa Maria della Madia
• San Francesco of Assisi’s church
• Santa Maria degli Amalfitani’s church
• Fortifed masserie

Distance from Martina Franca: 36km – 30 minutes

Exclusive and romantic

The fascinating Savvelletri is a suggestive Adriatic spot surrounded by cliffs, about 5 km far from Fasano. Mostly known for its sea and for its amazing equipped beaches, Savelletri is a popular tourist destination. The beaches in sand and cliffs are not excessively crowded and offer either free access or private areas, that offer their best during good weather. Savvelletri is ideal for a vacation of exclusive relax. The Archeological Park of Egnazia is a real treasure of findings, whereas the near golf field is one of the best in Apulia, counting 18 holes. The right occasion to taste some quality swordfish is the Patron Saint’s celebration (in august) dedicated to San Francesco da Paola and celebrated with a charming procession by the sea and a traditional festival.

• Archeological Park of Egnazia
• National archeological Museum “Giuseppe Andreassi” of Egnazia

Distance from Martina Franca: 30km – 41 minutes

Thermal wellness

Immersed in the “Parco naturale Dune Costiere” (the coastal dunes natural park), from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo, this city overlooks the Adriatic Sea and is 8 km far from Fasano. Symbol of this thermal locality is the lighthouse, which lights up the coast, the sea and the long cliffs. From the ‘80s, it started to grow, becoming a lively seaside area that benefits from crystal sea waters and fine white sand beaches. Torre Canne is renowned for its thermal center, a place to benefit from the therapeutic virtues of the spring waters. In the adjacent areas you can visit fortified masserias immersed in olive tree fields or the faunistic site of the Zoosafari in Fasano. Torre Canne is also the homeland of the Slow Food “Regina” Tomato, arranged in vermillion “ramasole” that embellish the local dwellings.

• Torre Canne Lighthouse
• Parco Naturale Dune Costiere
• Zoosafari and Fasanolandia
• Selva di Fasano

Distance from Martina Franca: 30km – 41 minutes

The Adriatic Pearl

Polignano a Mare, known as the “Adriatic Pearl” is only 33km far from the city of Bari. The oldest nucleus of the city rises on a rocky spur overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Native city of the singer Domenico Modugno, who became famous thanks to his “Nel blu dipinto di blu”, Polignano fascinates with its historical center, rich of traces of different origins (Arabian, Byzantine, Spanish, Norman), like the remains of the four imposing defense towers that used to enclose the old village. Worth mentioning is the bridge of the Via Traiana, still accessible today, which crosses Lama Monachile. From “Arco della Porta”, once the only entrance to the city, it is possible to walk through this magical hamlet, which is enriched by the the XIII century Chiesa Matrice dedicated to the Assumption. Don’t miss to visit the Museum “Pino Pascali” Foundation, set up in the former municipal slaughterhouse and dedicated to the work of the great Apulian sculptor and artist. The Polignano coast, which stretches from Grotta Palazzese to Lama Monachile, is one of the most beautiful in Apulia, thanks to its hidden coves and to the lovely sandy inlets.

• Church of Santa Maria Assunta
• Lama Monachile
• Statue dedicated to Domenico Modugno
• Sea caves
• Enchanting alleys of the historical center
• Museum Pino Pascali Foundation

Distance from Martina France: 43km – 51 minutes

Capital of Barocco

Italian city of art, Lecce is also known as “the Baroque Woman”: the ancient Messapian origins and the archeological findings of Roman origin blend together with the richness and extravagance of the Baroque from the XVII century of the churches and the palaces of the city center, made of local stone, a particularly malleable limestone that lends itself well to working with the scalpel. Richly decorated buildings, elegant streets and surprising squares characterize the city. Charming square of the historical center is the splendid Piazza Sant’Oronzo, with its Roman amphitheater, the colonnade of the Saint and the Sedile palace, today tourism information point. Not far away are the Teatini Convent and the Sant’Irene Church, a Baroque masterpiece.

• Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta
• Cathedral of Santa Croce
• Roman amphitheater
• Castel of Carlo V

Distance from Martina Franca: 110km – 75 minutes

The city of “Sassi” and the European Capital of Culture 2019

Matera is the city of Sassi (ancient habitations) and from 1993 it is part of the UNESCO Heritage.

It is one of the oldest cities of the world, and its territory preserves evidences of human settlements from the Paleolithic.

The original urban nucleus developed out of the natural caves dug into the rock and afterwards shaped into more and more complex structures, placed inside two large natural amphitheaters, known as the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano.

The unique architecture of the Sassi evokes the human capability to perfectly adapt to its natural environment and context, making masterful use of simple elements, such as the constant temperature of the excavated spaces, the calcarenite of the rock itself for the construction of “out of ground” housings, and the use of slopes to control the waters and the meteoric phenomena.
The architectonical structure is constituted by two systems: the former being immediately visible, and realized through the stratification of housings, courtyards, balconies, palaces, churches, streets, gardens; the latter less visible at first sight, and constituted by tanks, icehouses, caves, tunnels and water monitoring systems, essentials for the wellbeing of the community.

The landscape of the Sassi extends through the ravines typical of the near Gravina di Puglia, with a landscape that is in continuity with Matera and its characteristics.

• Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso
• The Cathedral
• Park of the rocky churches of Matera
• Crypt of the Original Sin
• Tank “Palombaro lungo”
• Museum of Contemporary Sculpture

Distance from Martina Franca: 80km – 70 minutes

From archeological excavations to ancient dolmens

The historical center is characterized by alleys, white walls, arches and small squares. The ancient walls still preserve the Torrione delle Fogge, once one of the entrances to the city.
In the neighboring areas you will not want to miss the archeological excavations of Egnazia and the Zoosafari, the biggest faunistic park of Italy. Also, don’t miss the dolmen of Montalbano, which dates back to the Bronze Age, around the 2000-1500 BC, and which is still intact.

Along the highway 16, close to a “lama” (a groove which is typical of the karstic territory) and nearby a masseria, rises Tempietto di Seppanibbale, dating back IX century and realized with big blocks of local stone. In the inside it preserves a notable series of frescoes of Langobard age.

• “Giuseppe Andreassi” National archeological Museum of Egnazia
• Archeological park of Egnazia
• Montalbano

Distance from Martina Franca: 18km – 20 minutes

The city of the two seas

Taranto, named “the city of the two seas”, overlooks Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, benefiting from a strategic position, which made it protagonist of well-known historical events.

Precious ancient evidences are preserved at Marta, the national archeological museum, where it is possible to admire the famous “Ori di Taranto” (Taranto’s Golden Treasure), refined productions of local goldsmith’s art between the IV and the II century BC, together with the immense collection of archeological findings from all over the Ionic province.

The history of Taranto is outlined by the two bridges that connect the old city with the new one. Alongside the stone bridge build after the flood of the year 1883, a swing bridge was introduced in 1887, manifesting the charm that the great mechanic engineering works have, and it leads to the maze of the alleys in proximity to the central Via Cava, where it is possible to find various artisan shops.

In this isthmus of land stand out noble architectures and churches of different times and styles, like the Cathedral dedicated to St. Catald, a mixture of Romanic and Baroque style, or the Church of St. Domenico, with gothic elements.

• Cattedrale di San Cataldo
• San Domenico Maggiore’s Church
• Marta, National archeological museum

Distance from Martina Franca: 25km – 25 minutes

Among the most beautiful villages of Italy

Its name already indicates the characteristic circular shape of the historical center of this town, risen around the year thousand and constituted by a series of huts that the local agricultures build on the top of the hill, among which we mention the typical “cummerse”, little houses with pitched roof.
Among the dwellings of the historical center stand out the steeples of the many churches of the town, such as Chiesa dell’Addolorata, Chiesa dello Spirito Santo, the San Nicola Church, the San Rocco Church and the Church dedicated to Madonna della Catena. Inside the Church of Santa Maria della Greca, a Renaissance polyptych dedicated to the Madonna delle Rose and the sculpture group of St. George on horse are preserved. From Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, where two imposing pillars identify Porta Napoli, a path stretches from the little municipal palace, today municipal library (end of the ‘700), through the baroque Palazzo Morelli, with its splendid gate and the balconies with railings in a particular wrought iron (named “goose breast”), to the Chiesa Madre.

Locorotondo is awarded with the Orange Flag, brand of high quality tourism and environment, conferred by Touring Club Italiano and dedicated to the small towns of the hinterland that stand out for their excellent offer and for their quality hospitality.

• Madre di San Giorgio Church
• Madonna della Greca Church
• Palazzo Morelli
• Ecomuseo of the Itria Valley

Distance from Martina Franca: 7km – 10 minutes

City of hospitality and of accessibility

Cisternino is adorned with the Orange Flag, brand of high quality tourism and environment, conferred by Touring Club Italiano and dedicated to the small towns of the hinterland that stand out for their excellent offer and for their quality hospitality. Cisternino is characterized by good accessibility and by an efficient management of the local mobility. The most important entrance to the heart of the old city is Porta Grande. The urban fabric with its medieval imprint remained almost intact and it is possible to lose oneself in the authentic atmospheres of the four districts “Bère Vécchie”, “Scheledd”, “U Pantène”, “L’ìsule”, that together with the outermost one, named “u Bùrie”, compose a small maze of alleys and widenings, where white houses, streets adorned with geraniums, stairs, lodges and arches alternate.

• Church of Madre di San Nicola di Pàtara
• Botanical Conservatory of the Itria Valley
• Torre Amati
• Torre Capece or Del Vanto
• Torre Normanna of Porta Grande
• Palazzo del Governatore (the Palace of the Governor)
• The Specchia of Cisternino

Distance from Martina Franca: 16km – 28 minutes

The White City

The urbanistic identity of Ostuni lies in its old village, named by its inhabitants “La Terra”. A unique built-up area stands out on the highest hill of the urban area: all painted in white and characterized by a multiplicity of levels, alleys and stairs made of stone, little streets that intersect arches and squares, cubicle houses, often dug into the rock. The houses coated with lime and the peculiar topography gifted the city with fairy-tale epithets, such as “Città Bianca” (‘The White city’), “Regina degli Ulivi” (‘Queen of the olive trees’) and “Città Presepe” (‘Nativity scene city’). Once reached the highest point of the city, it is possible to admire the beauties of the Cathedral and of Palazzo Vescovile (the Bishop’s Palace).

• Cathedral of Santa Maria dell’Assunzione
• Palazzo Vescovile
• Civic Museum and Archeologic Park
• Regional Nature Reserve
• Giacomo from Compostela’s Church
• Francesco from Assisi’s Church

Distance from Martina Franca: 27 km – 35 minutes

The city of the Trulli

City if the Itria Valley and of the Murgia area of the Trulli. This city is renowned for its characteristic dwellings called “Trulli”, that from the 5^th of December 1996 are part of the UNESCO Heritage and within the World Heritage List, with the following reasons: “exceptional typology, continuity of housing, survival of a prehistoric building culture…”

In particular, the Rione Monti and the Aia Piccola represent the most suggestive and ancient districts of the town. Today the area of Rione Monti is dedicated to business activities, whereas the Rione Aia Piccola has preserved its traditional residences: here it is possible to completely immerse oneself in the history and ancient traditions of this town. Do not miss the “Trulli Siamesi” and the “Trullo Sovrano”, the last one representing the greatest design capacity reached in a Trullo and, at the same time, it introduces a new a new building phase that includes the use of mortar.

• Trulli (Trulli Siamesi and Trullo Sovrano)
• “Casa Rossa”, the Red House, Museum-Memorial of the Holocaust in the South
• Shrine of the S.S. Medici
• Antonio’s Church

Distance from Martina Franca: 17km – 20 minutes