Ostuni

This article covers the municipality in Italy. For wine see Ostuni (wine) .

Ostuni
Country	Italy
region	Apulia
province	Brindisi  (BR)
Coordinates	40 ° 44 '  N , 17 ° 35'  E Coordinates: 40 ° 44 '0 "  N , 17 ° 35' 0"  E
height	207  m slm
surface	223 km²
Residents	31,083 (Dec. 31, 2019)
Population density	139 inhabitants / km²
Post Code	72017
prefix	0831
ISTAT number	074012
Popular name	Ostunesi
Patron saint	Sant'Oronzo
Website	Ostuni

General view of Ostuni

Ostuni - narrow alley

View of Ostuni

Ostuni is an Italian commune with 31,083 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2019) in the province of Brindisi in the Apulia region . The municipality extends over around 223 square kilometers, which corresponds to a population density of 144 inhabitants per square kilometer.

location

Ostuni is about eight kilometers inland from the coast of the Adriatic Sea . The center lies on three hills with a view of the olive groves off the Adriatic coast at an average height of 223 meters.

history

The area around Ostuni has been inhabited by people since the Paleolithic , as is shown by finds in the Grotta di Agnano within the Parco archeologico e naturalistico di Santa Maria D'Agnano , which testify to cult activities that are up to 30,000 years old. A settlement was founded by the Messapians and destroyed by Hannibal . The city was rebuilt by the Greeks. Its name comes from the Greek word Astu neon (New City). After the fall of the Roman Empire , the city fell under the rule of the Normans ruled Lecce . During this time the development of a medieval town began around the 229 meter high peak. A castle was built on the summit, only parts of which have survived. In addition, the city walls with 4 gates were built. From 1300 to 1463 Ostuni belonged to the Principality of Taranto and from 1507 it became the property of Isabella , Duchess of Bari , the wife of Gian Galeazzo Sforza , Duke of Milan .

Under the influence of Isabella, Ostuni experienced an upswing in the course of the Italian Renaissance . Isabella offered protection to humanists, artists and writers as well as Bishop Giovanni Bovio during this period. Isabella died in 1524 and Ostuni went as a dowry to her daughter Bona Sforza , the future wife of Sigismund I , King of Poland. Ostuni experienced free and generous leadership during the reign of Bona Sforza. Until 1539 she built towers along the coast as protection against the anticipated attacks by the Turks who controlled the Balkans. The remaining towers were always occupied and connected by beacons.

Attractions

The main attraction of Ostuni is the excellently preserved old town with its maze of alleys and stairs between the typical whitewashed houses. The center of the old town is the Piazza della Libertà on the border between the old and new town. The town hall and the baroque Oronzo column are located there in a former monastery. Other attractions include the city's cathedral and the baroque church of Santa Maria Maddalena. Also worth seeing is the Museo Civiltà Preclassica della Murgia Meridionale, which offers an insight into the pre-ancient agriculture of the western Mediterranean.

economy

The main sources of income for the place are tourism, viticulture and olives.

Culture

Because of the predominant color of the houses in the old town, Ostuni is nicknamed Città bianca (White City). The patron saint of Ostuni is Saint Oronzo, whose festival, the Cavalcata di Sant'Oronzo , takes place every year from 25th to 27th December. August is celebrated.

Development of the population

Census results

Web links

Commons : Ostuni  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Photographs by Vito Baldassarre (Italian)
• Ostuni Altosalento (Italian)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Statistiche demografiche ISTAT. Monthly population statistics of the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica , as of December 31 of 2019.
2. ↑ Information on the Parco Archeologico at ostunimuseo.it