Ostuni
Ostuni is a hill town in the province of Brindisi, in the Apulia (Puglia) region of southern Italy, about 8 km from the Adriatic coast. Known as “la Città Bianca” — the White City — for its lime-washed old quarter, it is one of the most visited destinations in Apulia and a centre of the region’s olive-oil and wine production.
At a glance
- Type
- Hill town and comune (the “White City”)
- Period
- Ancient origins; medieval and later old town
- Style
- Whitewashed Mediterranean hill-town architecture
- Location
- Province of Brindisi, Apulia, southern Italy
Overview
Ostuni sits roughly 8 km inland from the coast, in the heart of Apulia’s olive-growing country. Its winter population of about 30,000 can swell to around 200,000 in summer, when the town becomes one of Apulia’s principal tourist draws. The surrounding territory is a recognised producer of high-quality olive oil and wine.
History
The town developed on a defensible hilltop, a typical pattern for the settlements of inland Apulia. Over the centuries its compact old quarter took on its characteristic white appearance, with houses and lanes coated in lime wash. Today the town also hosts a long-standing British and German resident community alongside an industrial zone on its outskirts.
What you see
The historic centre is a dense maze of whitewashed houses, arches, stepped alleys and small squares rising toward the summit of the hill. The white walls — the feature that gives Ostuni its nickname — reflect the strong southern light and create the luminous townscape for which it is famous. From the higher streets there are open views across the olive groves toward the Adriatic.
Cultural significance
Ostuni is among the emblematic “white towns” of the Mediterranean and one of Apulia’s defining cultural landscapes. Its combination of historic urban fabric, agricultural tradition and coastal proximity makes it a key reference point for the heritage of the Salento and wider Apulian region.
Practical information
Ostuni is a living town, freely accessible to visitors; individual churches, museums and monuments keep their own hours. Check official municipal and tourism websites for current opening times and seasonal events.
Getting there
Ostuni is reachable by car via the SS16 Adriatic route and is served by its own railway station on the Adriatic line between Bari and Brindisi/Lecce. The nearest airports are Brindisi and Bari.
Sources & resources
Further reading: Ostuni on Wikipedia. More Italian heritage at culturalheritageonline.com.