White and chianche houses

White and chianche houses

Tuesday 08 March 2022

Lying on the Murgie at almost 400 meters high, the city of Cisternino dominates the suggestive depression of the Itria Valley, enjoying a wonderful panorama made of red earth marked by dry stone walls, rural roads, almond trees, large oaks, old olive trees and from the inevitable country trulli. The historic center of Cisternino is a dense intertwining of medieval streets, characterized by whitewashed houses, stone friezes, loggias, arches and stairways, which are articulated along the cobbled alleys with the characteristic chianche in local stone. The best way to discover Cisternino is to wander aimlessly, letting yourself be guided by the views that the village offers, by the scents that come from the kitchens and the voices of children playing in the street.

In our wandering we will discover the wonders that the village contains, evidence of a distant past and of the dominations that have shaped the city.

In some cases it is necessary to have very careful eyes to recognize what has been changed over time, for example the ancient walls that, over the years, have been incorporated by buildings, or the ancient Angevin towers that are now incorporated into Palazzo Amati and Palazzo Rizzi-Capece, these two towers together with the Torre di Porta Grande constituted the complex of urban towers of the first city nucleus and Porta Grande was the most important gateway to the city. Near the tower is the Mother Church dedicated to San Nicola. The cult building was born on a pre-existing church and from the top of a flight of steps dominates the street with its neoclassical facade.

The interior follows the Romanesque-Apulian canons with some Gothic details and preserves a Renaissance work carved in stone: it is the Madonna del Bambino from 1517. Other works of great interest are the frescoes along the left aisle, the Gothic crucifix behind the altar, the seventeenth-century choir, the sixteenth-century baptismal font and the sculpted Christ Incarcerato placed above the tabernacle. The visit to the crypt which is accessed from outside the church is of great charm. Following via Basiliani you reach piazza Vittorio Emanuele where you can see the Clock Tower and continuing along via Santa Lucia you reach the small church of Santa Lucia with the remains of precious frescoes. Returning to the heart of the historic center, in the nearby Via Santa Maria di Costantinopoli there is the painting of the Madonna del Falegname with child and not far away are the remains of a fresco of the Virgin Mary.

After a long walk, for a regenerating break, we can go beyond the city walls to rest, enjoying the splendid panorama offered by the Chiesa Nuova viewpoint or the municipal villa or largo Amati or the nearby pine forest. These terraces overlooking the Itria Valley allow you to observe the entire territory between Cisternino, Martina Franca and Locorotondo. Refreshed and regenerated we can reach the nearby Church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta with the precious baroque altar and continuing along the road we reach the church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli also known as the Church of the Old Cemetery with a valuable carved high altar.

Just outside the town of Cisternino is the Sanctuary of the Madonna d’Ibernia, the ancient church of an 11th century farmhouse. If you decide to visit Cisternino for Easter Monday you will be able to see how the road leading to the small church is teeming with stalls and devotees who go in procession to the small sanctuary.

The numerous churches of Cisternino testify how the city has always been strongly devoted to its saints, but there are also several noble palaces such as Palazzo Lagravinese, Palazzo Cenci, Palazzo del Governatore and Palazzo Pepe that show with such elegance the civil architecture of the city. After visiting such a fascinating village, the ideal end of the day is to taste the many delicacies of the local culinary tradition in one of the many restaurants in the historic center or in the numerous "out of town" farms to fully appreciate all the flavors and aromas that Cisternino knows how to offer.

The wineries to visit

Cantine due Palme - distanza 57,5 Km circa 60 min. in auto   scopri la cantina

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram