Cisternino, the village among olive trees and trulli

The village of Cisternino sinks its roots into an ancient legend: the eponymous hero Sturnoi, companion of Diomedes, is said to have founded this settlement after the Trojan War, later called Sturninum by the Romans. Probably destroyed in 216 BC during Hannibal’s incursions, the settlement was reborn in the 8th century thanks to a group of Basilian monks who built the abbey of San Nicolò cis-Sturninum, on the site of the current Mother Church. The first stable traces date back to the Bronze Age, with influences from Greeks and Messapians. Over the centuries, Cisternino experienced civil barons, Venetian and Spanish dominations, and numerous popular uprisings against fiscal oppression and misgovernment, including the riots of 1647 and the revolutionary ferment of the 18th and 19th centuries, with local figures such as Nicola Semeraro and Giuseppe Capece, symbols of courage and patriotism.

The wonders of Cisternino

 The village of Cisternino is an example of spontaneous architecture, where whitewashed houses, narrow alleys, blind courtyards, arches, and flowered balconies create an interweaving of public and private spaces, designed to foster community life. Walking on the chianche, the typical stone paving, one perceives the contrast between the white of the walls and the blue of the sky, typical of the poetry of the South.

The village preserves historic buildings of great value, such as the Norman-Swabian tower of the 11th century, the Mother Church of San Nicola with ribbed vaults, sculptural decorations, and works by Stefano da Putignano, and the little Church of Purgatory with remains of a structure from the year 1000. Also noteworthy are the Bishop’s Palace, the Governor’s Palace, noble palaces, and the churches of Santa Lucia, San Cataldo, San Quirico, and the Madonna d’Ibernia, linked to fertility cults and popular traditions such as the offering of the chïrrùchele. Outside the walls are towers and fine palaces, as well as Liberty-style decorations in Via San Quirico, witnesses of a long history of art and spirituality.

Events in the village 

Cisternino is enlivened by numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the year. In July, the International Festival of Musical Bands takes place, a historic parade of street bands, along with the festival Il Borgo Cantato, dedicated to traditional and folk music. At the beginning of August, the Patronal Feast of Saints Quirico and Giulitta lights up the village with illuminations, bands, and entertainment in the square. Other notable events include Itria Jazz, dedicated to jazz music, the Notte Verde, celebrating agriculture, food, and traditions, and the Festival of the Senses, itinerant in the Itria Valley with conferences and cultural appointments.

What to see near Cisternino

 In the surroundings of Cisternino, the Itria Valley offers unique landscapes and picturesque villages. Just a few kilometers away are Alberobello, famous for its UNESCO World Heritage trulli, and Locorotondo, with its whitewashed alleys and breathtaking views. Martina Franca amazes with its baroque historic center and elegant noble palaces, while Ostuni, the “White City,” dominates the Adriatic coast with its narrow streets and whitewashed churches. The area is also ideal for excursions among centuries-old olive groves, vineyards, and dry-stone walls. For sea lovers, the beaches of Torre Guaceto and the Adriatic coast offer unspoiled nature and crystal-clear waters.

Cover photo credits: Bernd Meissner