Ostuni: what to see, historic center, beaches and map

Perched on three hills with a view over the valley, Ostuni is the white city of Puglia.

Ostuni, in Puglia, is one of the destinations that you absolutely cannot miss in your trip exploring the most beautiful places in the Itria Valley.

Ostuni

We are in the province of Brindisi, where this wonderful village, famous for its white-painted houses dominated by the Cathedral, stands on a hill in the Murge. Ostuni is located 8 km from the Adriatic coast and is dotted with rows of ancient olive trees that make the landscape truly breathtaking.

In Ostuni, white is the dominant color: the white of the low houses and the streets of the historic center. The white of Ostuni comes from the lime used since the Middle Ages because it was easy to obtain, and because that color managed to bring light to the narrow streets of the historic center. The lime of Ostuni also played an important role in the 17th century, when whitewashing with lime was the only way to prevent the plague from spreading in the town.

The historic center was once surrounded by Aragonese walls, of which only traces remain today.

What to See in Ostuni in One Day

Ostuni is a small gem to explore slowly. The city can be visited (strictly on foot) in one day, before heading out to discover the most beautiful beaches in the area.

ALSO SEE: GIANT'S ITINERARY

We have created a useful guide below on what to see in Ostuni, featuring the most beautiful attractions, beaches, and nearby places not to miss.

Ostuni Cathedral

Located at the highest point of the town, the Cathedral of Ostuni, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, is beautiful and was built in the 15th century at the behest of Ferdinand of Aragon and Alfonso II, rulers of the Kingdom of Naples. The exterior of the church, built in Gothic style, features a central rose window decorated with 24 rays (one of the largest in the world). The interior of the church was redone in the 18th century, characterized by a painted flat ceiling and Baroque chapels.

Church of the Holy Spirit

Don't miss a visit to the Church of the Holy Spirit located in Piazza della Libertà, not too far from the 17th-century obelisk of Sant'Oronzo.

The imposing and detailed portal will catch your attention. The church houses a 17th-century statue dedicated to Sant'Oronzo.

Church of San Francesco

The church was built in the early 1300s in Gothic style. The building, along with the attached convent, underwent major modifications in the 1600s and the second half of the 1700s.

Today, the original façade of the church is no longer visible since it was integrated into the convent, which houses the City Hall.

Piazza della Libertà

This is the heart of Ostuni, where you can find the City Hall, the former Franciscan convent with the Church of San Francesco, and the famous Obelisk of Sant'Oronzo.

Museum of Preclassic Civilization of Southern Murgia

This archaeological museum holds artifacts from almost the entire area of southern Murge. Among the most interesting archaeological finds is the cast of the Woman of Ostuni, a pregnant woman dating back about 27,000 years.

Church of Santa Maria della Stella

The church is located near the city walls and was built on a previous church. It was completely reconstructed between 1833 and 1838. Visit it because its terrace is the only point from which you can see the sea from Ostuni.

Church of San Giacomo in Compostela

Built in the early 1400s at the request of the noble Caballerio family, it is considered the second most important sacred monument after the Cathedral, a wonderful example of Gothic architecture.

Civic Museum of Ostuni

The civic museum of Ostuni is housed in the former monastery of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi and holds artifacts from the Messapic, medieval, and modern periods of the Ostuni area.