Our next destination was the fairy-tale city of Alberobello!  Now, Alberobello is only 9.5 miles away from Martina Franca, and so it is just a fifteen-minute drive.  Many people fit Alberobello into their vacation itineraries as a day trip, a place that they stop in for a few hours, tour a few of the more…

Dating from 1668, on the site that was once occupied by a medieval castle, Palazzo Ducale was home to those who ruled the area, and then later, in more modern times, became the city’s Town Hall, and the main Civic Museum.  Visiting the palazzo is a must, for anyone spending time in Martina Franca.  While…

The semi-circular Piazza Maria Immacolata, or Piazza dei Portici, as it is also known, is one of the city’s most popular spots.  This lovely square was built in 1854, by the architect Davide Conversano.  Each of the arches of its arcade was designed to hold the stall of a vendor, on market day.  Now, tables…

The Convent of the Suore Missionarie della Consolata is on Piazza Mario Pagano, next to an abandoned church. The Chiesa di San Francesco d’Assisi dates from 1728, and is found at the end of the piazza. Inside of the niche, over the main door, there is a statue of the Immaculate Conception.  The two statues,…