After walking to the parking area in Lecce, we all hopped on the bus and started the 1.5hr journey to Ostuni.
As last night was a late one, most of us managed to have a decent sleep on the bus.
We had a lovely trip down the coast, looking at the sea and little towns on the way - leading up to Ostuni which was about 4km in from the coast.
Our first plan of action was a visit to the toilets (not very lovely to be honest) and then we met our guide for the morning in the main town square and had a coffee. We walked up through the hilly town and saw some lovely churches and interesting houses.
The so-called "Old Town" is Ostuni's citadel built on top of a hill and still fortified by the ancient walls. Ostuni is regarded as an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as "the White Town" ("La Città Bianca") because of its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. A monument on its own, the town's largest buildings are the Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace, together with a number of palazzi of local aristocratic families.
We had a lovely look around and then walked a fairly decent walk to a hotel which served us lunch. Again, the food was amazing! Had to walk a lot after lunch to use up all the energy!
After Ostuni, we hopped back on the bus and made our way to Alberobello - about a 45 minute bus trip through some windy and curvy country roads. Super fun!
In Alberobello, there are lots of 'trulli.' A trullo (plural, trulli) is a traditional Apulian dry stone hut with a conical roof. Trulli were generally constructed as temporary field shelters and storehouses or as permanent dwellings by small proprietors or agricultural labourers. Additionally, the cone itself may have a symbol painted on it (as shown in the picture of the trulli in Alberobello.) Such symbols may include Christian symbols such as a simple cross, a cross on a heart pierced by an arrow (representing Santa Maria Addolorata, ie Our Lady of Sorrows), a circle divided into four quarters with the letters S,C,S,D in them (for Sanctus Christus and Sanctus Dominus according to one source, but more likely the initials of Santo Cosma and Santo Damiano, the two saints the local basilica is dedicated to) and quite a few others.
After a lovely (but very very cold) walk through the trulli,we boarded the bus again and made our way home. It was about a 2 hr trip on return and I was keen to get into the warmth of our house!
We were pretty exhausted from the long day, and didn't eat out- just had some snacks from home.
Early to bed!
Miss A
Challenge: What is the white paint based on in Ostuni? (A type of rock!) And what does the white paint keep away?
The white paint is made from limestone, which keeps out heat and magnifies any available light. Also said to have pest repelling properties, which comes in handy during times of plague.
ReplyDeleteAt least someone's learning!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I'm going to do at 4 am when you come home tho!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with these nerds who jump on with the right answer immediately!! Clearly have too much time on their hands!
ReplyDeleteNot nothing better to do, just a free hand and mobile internet functionality at hours of the day when other mortals are fast asleep in bed!
ReplyDeletewwwwwaaaaaaaaooooohhhh!!!!!! that is a lot of town you went thought. You would have seen so may different cultures, and old buildings. Those town defiantly look like they have their own think to them selfs, and your great photos defiantly bring that out. Traveling defiantly make you tried doesn't it?
ReplyDelete