Situated about one and a half hours drive North West from the town of Lecce, Ostuni is one of Italy’s most spectacular small towns. The most distinguishing characteristic of the town is its white buildings. Originally the practise of lime washing the town houses served as a means of lightening up the dark, labyrinth medieval streets, but whitewashing was also thought to be a measure in defence against the plague. In the 17th Century a plague killed millions in the area and the infected houses were painted white by using limestone dust mixed with water. The residents thought that there was less illness around the white houses and attributed it to a miracle, though it was more likely to be as a result of the antibacterial effect of the Calcium Carbonate.

The region around Ostuni has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The town is reputed to have been originally established by the Messapii, a pre classic tribe and destroyed by Hanibal during the Punic Wars. It was then re built by the Greeks. The name Ostuni was derived from the Greek ‘Astu neon’ meaning new town. Today it is a lovely small town with some small quant shops and café’s.