Ostuni

Villa Trullo dei Mori is located less than two km from Ostuni.

Also known as the White City, located on the hills 200 meters above sea level, Ostuni deserves attention for its historic center with its monuments and attractions but also for the crystalline sea waters about ten km away.
The white of Ostuni is due to the lime used since the Middle Ages as a natural disinfectant, which in the seventeenth century saved Ostuni from the plague, thus becoming its symbol and indelible characteristic of the city.
Among the monuments that embellish the view we find the imposing Church of San Francesco which rises in the main square of Ostuni, Piazza della Libertà where the main events of the summer period are held, such as the renowned feast of Sant'Oronzo protector of the city of Ostuni at the end of August which culminates with the spectacular “ride” of Sant'Oronzo, and the obelisk of the saint which can be found at the crossroads adjacent to the square.
Climbing up the “pietra leccese” stone road that leads to the top of the hill, one can find the splendid Baroque façade of the Church of San Vito Martire. Continuing the journey you arrive at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell'Assunzione, located in the highest part of the town and built in the fifteenth century in Romanesque-Gothic style with a spectacular 24 segment rose window. In front of the cathedral stands the majestic Arco Scoppa, named after the Bishop who ordered its construction, a baroque-style gallery among the few monuments in the city built in this style.
Once you reach the panoramic point of the city, the green expanses of centuries-old olive trees, the blue sea on the horizon and the blinding white that colors every wall and every house will be a priceless joy for the eyes and the heart.

Alberobello

Villa Trullo dei Mori is located just 40 minutes from Alberobello.

Although the rural “trulli” are scattered throughout the Valle d’Itria, the highest concentration of the best preserved specimens is found in the town of Alberobello. The “trulli”, usually used in the past as a temporary shelter or as a country house used as a shelter for tools or animals, are still extraordinary examples of dry stone and slab buildings, made with a technique dating back to prehistoric times. The roofs of the “trulli” often bear inscriptions in white ash with a mythological or religious significance and end with a decorative pinnacle that was intended to keep away evil influences or bad luck. Rainwater was precious for this reason it was collected (through external gutters or, through a system of canalizations, passing through the thick walls) in the cisterns placed under the flooring of the house.
In December 1996 the city of the “trulli” of Alberobello became a World Heritage Site, and was officially recognized as a UNESCO site.

Monopoli

Villa Trullo dei Mori is about 35 minutes by car from Monopoli.

Also known as the city of a hundred “contrade” or districts, which evoke the names of the houses that have now disappeared, Monopoli retains its early medieval appearance, with its fortified historic center.
The old town develops from the Borgo district as the central Piazza Vittorio Emanuele is called, one of the largest squares in Italy. Approaching the port, one finds the Castle of Charles V , a pentagonal building on coast built during the Spanish domination to protect the ancient port. Inside, the spectacular armory hall, as well as the suggestive rock church of San Nicola de Pinna, built in the 10th century. and then incorporated into the structure. The castle was used as a prison until the 1960s while today it houses the Municipal Archaeological Museum.
The Old Port of Monopoli is the gateway to the city for those arriving from the sea. It is an ancient natural port surrounded by historic buildings in local pale natural stone with varied architectural resonances, an example is Palazzo Martinelli, a splendid 18th century mansion, built on the city walls, fascinating both for its beautiful neo-Gothic facade that is right on the sea, and for the recent discovery of caves and cavities in its foundations, now perfectly restored.
In the inlet of the port, one can see the picturesque “gozzi”, the typical wooden fishing boats, painted with the characteristic colors of light blue and red.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria della Madia, protector of Monopoli, is one of the most beautiful Baroque religious monuments despite its early middle ages origins.
Among narrow streets paved with limestone slabs, between arches and alleys, the historic center of Monopoli is full of fascinating churches to discover. These include the eighteenth-century Church of San Leonardo, in late Baroque style. Also of great importance is the Church of Santa Teresa which together with the convent are known as the complex of the Conservatory of the Casa Santa.
The Church of Purgatory, on the other hand, will amaze already from the outside for the imposing wooden portal, in which two skeletons are depicted, which are said to represent the equality of all men in the face of death. Visiting the Church of San Domenico instead, one is fascinated by the elegant Renaissance facade and the richly decorated rose window, its twenty-one arches and the central rose.
Monopoli, a perfect combination of art and history, is a terrace of high stone walls overlooking the Adriatic Sea.

Polignano a Mare

Villa Trullo dei Mori is about 45 minutes away.

Polignano a Mare is a small town where you can re-live the atmosphere of a typical fishing village.
Next to the statue dedicated to the famous singer Domenico Modugno, there is a staircase that leads to an incredible terrace from which you can admire the most known and photographed place in the city, Lama Monachile.
The imposing Marchesale Arch leads into the heart of the historic center made up of narrow streets, alleys and squares. The first square you meet is the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, where it is impossible not to notice the Palazzo dell'Orologio.
Wandering through the narrow roads exploring around the small white houses, you can also discover important churches and monuments such as the Church of Sant'Antonio, that of San Cosma and Damiano, the Palazzo Marchesale and the Mother Church of Santa Maria Assunta, a thirteenth-century place of prayer built on the remains of a pagan temple.
Do not miss a visit to the old Jewish ghetto that can be reached from via Giudea, here are also the former Cathedral, the Church of Purgatory and the Chapel of St. Stefano, a beautiful little church set among the alleys and overlooking the sea. From here the view from its terrace overlooking the sea is wonderful. The church is deconsecrated and houses an art gallery.
Polignano a mare is a paradise for those who love cave excursions, certainly worth visiting Grotta delle Rondinelle, Grotta Azzurra, Grotta dei Fidanzati and Grotta Palazzese, which even houses a restaurant.

Cisternino

Villa Trullo dei Mori is only a 20 minute drive from Cisternino.

Cisternino, in addition to being included in the list of the most beautiful villages in Italy, boasts the Orange Flag (environmental tourism quality mark of the Italian Touring Club).
This village, which overlooks the Itria Valley, fascinates everyone thanks to the authentic beauty of its views, and whose splendid panorama can be admired from the “belvedere” area behind the Villa Comunale.
Walking on the limestone slabs, smooth and shiny by centuries of wear, you enter the dense urban fabric of medieval imprint that has remained almost intact: the atmosphere and charm of Cisternino all reside in wandering among the houses of the Isule (Isola) and the other ancient districts: Bère Vècchie, Scheledd, u Pantène.
The gateway to the city is the Tower of Porta Grande, dating back to the Middle Ages built in Norman style. This is the most important gateway to the ancient heart of Cisternino and you can find the statue of San Nicola on the top while, the Mother Church also dedicated to San Nicola and built in the Romanesque period on an ancient early Christian church, houses two treasures inside: a sixteenth-century baptismal font and the beautiful statue of the Madonna with child. The archaeological area below the Mother Church preserves the remains of an ancient temple built around the year 1000 by monks who arrived from the East but, even more stimulating is to search for the mysteries relating to the sect of the Templar Knights which seems to particularly linked to Cisternino. Another religious building well worth a visit is the Sanctuary of the Madonna d'Ibernia, located just 3km from the historic center of the village and surrounded by centuries-old olive trees. There is a legend that the sanctuary was built on a place indicated by the Virgin Mary herself, during a miraculous apparition.
In the historic center it is possible to admire various historic homes, from the Palazzo del Governatore (Governor's Palace) a beautiful example of the Baroque in Puglia, to the sixteenth-century Palazzo Vescovile, from Palazzo Amati to Palazzo Lagravinese, to Palazzo Ricci-Capece with the Torre del Vento and Palazzo Cenci. The center of the town is Piazza Vittorio Emanuele with its Clock Tower. Here it will be inevitable to be enthralled by the scent of meat cooked on the grill: custom has it that in summer "bombette" and "turcinieddi" bought at the many local butchers are cooked in the adjacent rooms and consumed seated at the outdoor tables, scattered throughout all the alleys of the ancient neighborhoods. In order to continue its gastronomic traditions and to protect its local crops and productions, Cisternino is a Slow Food presidium.

Ceglie Messapica

Villa Trullo dei Mori is a 20 minute drive from Ceglie Messapica.

Ceglie Messapica, one of the oldest locations in Puglia is an excellent example of the thousand year old history of this area, rich in natural and architectural wonders.
Ceglie is found on the southern “Murge plain” at 310 meters above sea level, along the karst depression from which it takes its name (Messapian threshold), on the border with the Salento plain. The territory has numerous karst cavities with splendid concretions, such as the Caves of Montevicoli (Ceglie is part of the national tourist network "Città delle Grotte - City of Caves") one chilometer from the town.
The urban fabric is dominated by the Castello Ducale, which develops around the Norman Tower of medieval origin and was for many centuries the main fortress of the area. Around the Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta Church, originally in Romanesque style and whose foundations rest on the old acropolis of the village, we find a dense network of narrow, winding alleys and stairways paved with the characteristic limestone slabs, where you can admire Piazza Vecchia, while in Piazza Plebiscito, the Clock Tower stands out and is the pulsating center of the town.
Ceglie is one of the most important places in Italy for gastronomic tourism: since the 90s the Messapian city has been awarded the nickname of "city of art and land of gastronomy" for the many testimonies of its millenary history and for its typical cuisine, appreciated and recognized throughout Italy. It has been in fact identified as the Capital of Apulian Gastronomy. The “cegliese” biscuit, for example, is been recognized as a Slow Food Presidium as well as been loved by tourists. There are numerous places where you can try the local delicacies.

Martina Franca

Villa Trullo dei Mori is located just 30 minutes by car from Martina Franca.

The main attraction of this elegant town nestled on one of the last southern hills of the south-eastern Murgia plain at over 400 meters above sea level is without doubt the characteristic historical center, a splendid example of Baroque and Rococo art, with its narrow streets, white alleys, noble palaces and majestic and monumental churches. A wall and defense towers were built around the city, and some ancient city gates are still visible today.
In the historic center, dominated by many Baroque palaces of particular interest, stands the Palazzo Ducale, which currently houses the City Hall built in 1668 on a pre-existing castle, where the high Baroque façade is divided by a long balcony. Another building that attracts attention for its beauty is the cathedral, the Basilica of San Martino, whose Baroque facade was built in the mid-1700s. The city center is concentrated around Piazza XX Settembre, overlooked by the Villa Comunale, once the garden of the convent of the Graces and, on the side of the villa, the fifteenth-century Church of S. Antonio. The most characteristic street of the city is certainly Via Cavour which is overlooked by numerous Baroque palaces. The Church of S. Domenico is very beautiful and elegant and was built on a pre-existing Romanesque building in 1750, while immediately outside the walls of the historic center you can find the beautiful Chiesa del Carmine Church.
In the surrounding countryside there are numerous caves: in the hamlet of Monte Fellone, of considerable archaeological importance are the Cuoco cave and the Monte Fellone cave whose archaeological excavations testify human presence in the Neolithic period.
There are numerous “Specchie” (cairns), the best known one is Specchia Tarantina, at the border between the Messapian and Taranto territories, its function was to defend and control the territory.
Every summer, for over 40 years now, Martina Franca has become the Apulian capital of Bel canto. In fact, the Festival della Valle d’Itria is held from mid-July to mid-August, for all opera and symphonic music lovers.
Last but not least, a gastronomic connotation: this characteristic village of the Itria Valley is also known thanks to the DOP production of the Capocollo di Martina Franca, an excellent cold cured meat cut, typical of the entire region.