Ostuni, the White City of Puglia, Ostuni, Italy

The view of Ostuni from the railway station was stunning, white buildings crouched on top of a hill. But – it was five kilometres away. I had walked past the local bus that meets every train because it was so small I thought it was a private mini-bus. There was only one option so I set off on foot. I had only been walking for a few minutes when a woman in her car stopped beside and I was asked if I would like a ‘passaggio’ (a lift). I accepted and we were soon speeding towards the town.

The directions I had been given to the old town were delightfully vague so I set off down the road and then asked for directions from a local who sent me round the back of the church of Maria Annunziata . Here I found the Post Office housed in the cloisters but there was no sign of an old town.

I tried again and this time I was directed down a narrow street that went downhill all the way to the Piazza della Libertà which is on the verge of the old town. This square is dominated by the Palazzo Municipale , originally the Franciscan convent of the Church of San Francisco d’Assisi and built in 1304. In 1739 the building was modified and then in 1864 it was enlarged, given a neoclassic facade and became the Town Hall. It also houses the Tourist Information office. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).