Nestled in the heart of Italy’s Puglia region, the charming town of Ostuni enchants visitors with its whitewashed houses, earning it the nickname “Citta Bianca” or “The White City.”
Bathed in the radiant Apulian sun, this picturesque town offers an idyllic escape from the bustle of city life. One of the town’s biggest draws is Marina di Ostuni, its best-known beach. With clear blue waters and golden sands, this stunning beach provides the perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and relaxation.
But Ostuni offers more than just a beautiful coastline.
The town is also famous for its olive orchards, which produce some of the world’s finest naturally pressed olive oil. A visit to these orchards is a must, where you can taste the real pleasure of this liquid gold.
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Be sure to pair it with some rough farm bread and spicy salami, and let the famous Puglia wine caress your taste buds. Strolling through the streets of the old town, visitors can immerse themselves in Ostuni’s rich history. The ruins of the old castle and the watchtowers that line the coast offer a glimpse into Ostuni’s past. Legend has it that the town’s origins go back to the Stone Age, with people from the Balkans settling in the area.
Hannibal destroyed the town, but the Greeks rebuilt it.
Not much is known about the town until the Normans arrived over a thousand years later, building their protective castle, now in ruins. Through the twists and turns of dynastic relationships, the wife of the king of Poland eventually became the owner of Ostuni. She anticipated the Turkish invasion during the mid-1500s and built the watchtowers that still stand today. Ostuni eventually became a part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and its future was tied to that of Naples.
Warm, hospitable, and welcoming, the people of Ostuni
are proud of their town’s rich history and happy to share their way of life with visitors. So come to Ostuni, where the sun shines bright, the olive oil flows freely, and the hospitality is as warm as the sand beneath your toes. This white city offers a true taste of Southern Italy, inviting visitors to soak in its beauty and bask in its history.
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