Ostuni is renown for the old town being completely covered in whitewash. Thus it stands out like a beacon on its hilltop looking out over the Adriatic.
(If viewing on a phone or tablet click on a photo to see the full picture).
With limited parking for non residents we had to do our usual and hike up into the old town.
Once there we were greeted by a somewhat familiar labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys.
Some were a little more dramatic than others.
The cathedral (Cathdrale di Santa Maria Assunta) was built in the second half of the 11th century and has gone through many restorations over the centuries. Its most compelling feature are the ceiling paints. One can only marvel at how the artist(s) managed to create such masterpieces above their heads.
The town has many steep sections where creativity reigns such as a cushioned cafe on a series of steps.
The main square was dominated by another column featuring Sant’Oronzo whom we looked out on from our rooms in Lecce.
Coffee while perched on a ledge overlooking the valley and the sea was a nice way to wrap up our visit.
Then it was off to Monopoli, a bustling town along the coast. Along the way we stopped to admire ancient olive trees which may be many centuries old. The region to the south is just recovering from a deadly infestation of a bug thought to have arrived in a shipment of coffee from Costa Rico that killed millions of olive trees so this plantation stood out.
Monopoli overlooks a rocky coastline which provided entertainment as we watched waves crash onto the shore.
Into the old town and into the cathedral per our normal.
Regardless of one’s religious beliefs the beauty, craftsmanship and artistic skills have to be admired.
Then it was back to Bari along a winding coastal road before joining the main highway into town. Tomorrow it’s off to Sicily with a flight from Bari to Catania. The airport there has suffered a number of closures recently due to ash deposits from the eruptions of Mount Etna which is a few miles away. Fingers crossed.
