Our first stop, on our second day in Alberobello, was located only a short walk from the apartment: The Museo Del Territorio.  This structure, made up of a palazzo with a few trulli  incorporated into it, had been the home of Giacomo Pezzola, a doctor from the city.   At the time, it was considered one…

Walking through these streets that are lined with trulli, it is still possible to imagine what the area was like, before being invaded by tourists.  Every now and then, one catches a glimpse of something that will take the person looking at it back in time!  For example, I saw a well partially hidden, in…

Near the belvedere, you will find Piazza del Popolo.  This is the main square of the city.  In it is the Monumento ai Caduti, which pays tribute to those who lost their lives in World War I. Directly in front of the monument is the Palazzo Comunale.  Today, this palazzo houses the municipal police, as…

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,…

If you walk along the perimeter of the town, following the line of the old city walls, you will see that a few of the defensive towers built into those walls are still standing.  An example of this is the Torre delle Seti, or the Tower of Silk, which dates from the fourteenth century.  The…

Exploring the historical center, of whichever town we happen to be in, is something I love doing.  To simply let your heart and feet guide you is the best way to see a new place. In Piazza del Plebiscito, you will find the Torre dell’Orologio, and the adjoining Palazzo dell’Università.  The Torre dell’Orologio dates from…

On two sides, surrounding the apartment we had rented (in fact, all the windows in the apartment overlooked it), there was Villa Comunale Giuseppe Garibaldi.  This small public park area was charming during daylight hours, and it was a nice place to relax.  In the evening hours, especially on the weekends, the bar/pizzeria/restaurant in the…

Our next destination was only a twenty-two-minute drive away, the charming city of Martina Franca!  After the small town of Crispiano, we were both ready for a little more of a city atmosphere, and Martina Franca did not disappoint.  I immediately fell in love with the charming city and its people!  Once again, we rented…

The small, lovely Church of San Francesco d’Assisi sits at the edge of a charming piazza. The octagonal-shaped church is a peaceful place to sit for a while, admiring the artwork that adorns its walls. Set in the outskirts of the city, but still an easy walk from the main piazza, the Torre Cacace dates…