Ostuni, Italy

Ostuni, Italy

The "white city" appears as a fortress dominion on the plain and on the coast below, only 8 km away.

The ancient village of Ostuni is presented with a ellipsoid floor plan, defended by a strong wall around its eight towers. The center is a fascinating up and down of stairs and steps, a succession of narrow passages, alleys and courtyards. All the houses are painted exclusively in white lime, so that one is dazzled approaching the plain.

In the center of old Ostuni is enthroned the 15th century cathedral with a curious Gothic style of Venetian and Lombardian influence, with a large, highly decorated central rose window that represents the Cristo Sole (Christ the Sun). The inside with three naves, however, is of Baroque style.

Fans of archeology may visit the Museo di Civiltà Preclassiche della Murgia. Hosted in the ancient Convento delle Monacelle, this museum exhibits the skeleton of Delia, the most ancient mother in the world. She is a Paleolithic woman of 25 thousand years ago, with the remains of a fetus in her womb.