Cisternino

: Southern Italian attitude towards life in the piazza of Cisternino.

Between the sea and the valley of the trulli

In the province of Brindisi, on a rise, lies the small town of Cisternino – between the sea on the one side and the fantastic, enchanted valley of the trullis on the other side.

One of the most beautiful "borghi" in Italy

The small town is called "uno dei borghi più belli d'Italia", and rightly so. The town gate from the times of Norman rule is the entrance gate to the historic town centre where you will find most houses built in the oriental style, with picturesque courtyards full of nooks and crannies and external staircases connecting the various floors.


Typical for Cisternino: its winding alleyways and courtyards full of nooks and crannies...		... and the whitewashed façades.

Rich in history

Cisternino was founded by the Messapians, the original inhabitants of Apulia. During the Middle Ages, numerous monks from the oriental order of the Basilians came here to seek refuge from the persecution they suffered in the Byzantine Empire. In the time following, they had vital influence on the townscape. The Romanic church of San Nicola di Parara was built upon the remains on a Basilian crypt.

Cisternino today is known, beyond its boundaries, as a "mecca for gourmets".

Next train station: Ostuni.

To the picture gallery of Cisternino (Apulia, Southern Italy):