Every two years, I embark on a sabbatical to explore the art and culture of home living. This year’s journey took me to Puglia, Italy, where I explored ancient homes and villages, with Matera, Alberobello, Ostuni, and Lecce as the standout cities.
Matera, the world's oldest continuously inhabited city, dates to the 10th millennium BC. Its iconic Sassi are rock-cut caves hand-carved from limestone, forming a unique urban landscape of pathways, stairways, and courtyards.
Until the 1960s, residents lived in these caves alongside their donkey, relying on limestone's natural antimicrobial properties and purified water from its drips. Declared unfit for habitation, the government relocated residents, but today, Matera thrives as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and European Capital of Culture.
Alberobello, a charming town near Bari, is renowned for its 16th-century trullo homes and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Though often bustling, its fairy-tale charm makes it well worth a visit.
Trulli, iconic limestone structures, were originally built by peasants to evade royal property taxes. Using mortarless construction—a prehistoric technique still practiced today—they crafted these homes to be easily dismantled during inspections. Made from locally gathered limestone boulders, Trulli are characterized by their distinctive pyramidal, domed, or conical roofs formed with corbelled stone slabs, blending resourcefulness with enduring craftsmanship.
Trulli stands today as a testament to the lengths the powerful will go to protect their wealth and the ingenuity of the powerless to adapt and persevere in challenging circumstances.
Ostuni, a dazzling white fortress town dating back to the Stone Age, sits perched on a hill with breathtaking views of olive groves stretching to the sea. Its highlights include the Ostuni Cathedral, blending Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine styles, and the Porta San Demetrio, one of two remaining medieval gates. The all-white architecture, vibrant piazza, and lush flora made wandering its cobblestone streets an endless delight. My day ended with classical music echoing through a hidden alley as I relaxed on a bean bag chair, savoring an oversized Aperol Spritz served by a charming Italian waiter—pure bliss.
Ostuni, Italy. Sunkissed and Whitewashed
Lecce, known as the “Florence of the South,” is a treasure of Baroque architecture. Encased within fortress-like walls, the city’s four ornate churches highlight stunning carvings crafted from its soft, pliable limestone.
I dashed through wedding-filled streets to catch glimpses of the church's intricate interiors, each a masterpiece of history and style.
Lecce’s lively museums, sunlit courtyards, and inviting cafes are perfect for soaking up the Italian way of life. Dress up, find a prime spot, order a cappuccino, and linger for hours.
Next on my journey: Sardinia, Tuscany, and the Dolomites—three regions rich in unique cultures and landscapes. Until then, arrivederci!
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