The Gleaming City of Ostuni, a Pearl of the Adriatic


Steeped in history and culture, Ostuni is a city to behold.

The following article, written by Jerry Finzi, appears on Grand Voyage Italy.

Ostuni is known as the White City of Apulia, because of its stark white buildings perched high above the plain below.

Located about 5 miles and within sight of the Adriatic coastline, it has a yearround population of about 32,000 inhabitants, but can swell in the tourist season to over 100,000.

Part of the province of Brindisi contains a region with high production of both wine and olive oil. The town is a popular place for expats, especially British and Germans.

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The region around Ostuni has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, with Neanderthals living here over 40,000 years ago. The town itself was settled by the Messapii tribe, destroyed by Hannibal during the Punic Wars.

It was rebuilt by the Greeks, its name deriving from the Greek Astynéon (“new town”).

The town came under rule of the Romans until the Normans conquered it in 996 AD, and built a medieval town around the summit of the 950 feet high hill, including a castle and four gates (ruins today).

In 1507, rule passed to Isabella, Duchess of Bari, and under her rule, Ostuni thrived during the Italian Renaissance, with an abundance of Renaissance architecture left behind.

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The white color of the town had practical advantages. Since at least the time of the Middle Ages, the lime whitewashing helped keep buildings cool by reflecting the heat of the southern sun.  Lime whitewash also has disinfectant properties, helping to slow the spread of disease–this was proven during the Middle Ages, lessening the spread of the Plague.

Lime is readily available in the surroundings of the city since the town itself is built upon three hills of Cretaceous limestone.

The White City has become such a popular destination for tourists that the government pays for half the cost of homeowners repainting their homes every two years to keep them looking their whitest. Continue reading at Grand Voyage Italy. 

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