Holiday apartment in Martina Franca: Opera, Rococo and nature

In the cultural sphere, the points of interest range from the Festival della Valle d’Itria and the Palazzo Ducale and Basilica di San Martino to the Chiesa del Carmine and the MuBa.

Opera and Rococo in Martina Franca

The Festival della Valle d’Itria takes place every year in Martina Franca and was established in 1975. It is particularly dedicated to rediscovering rare operas and works that are performed infrequently. During the festival, Martina Franca’s historic and architectural spaces, including the Palazzo Ducale and its cloisters, serve as venues for performances, rehearsals and artistic activities.

The gallery rooms of the Palazzo Ducale were decorated with frescoes by Domenico Carella in the second half of the 18th century. The decoration forms part of the design of the gallery rooms in the Palazzo Ducale. The Basilica di San Martino is regarded as an important example of Martina Franca’s Rococo heritage. Its façade features a high relief of Saint Martin sharing his cloak. The basilica also houses the relics of Saint Comasia, which were transferred there on 5 November 1764.

During the rebuilding of the Chiesa del Carmine, the foundation stone was laid on 15 March 1727; the church was completed around 1758. It contains the signed and dated painting “Madonna della Libera fra i Santi Michele Arcangelo e Eligio” by Giovanni Stefano Caramia, from 1660.

The MuBa – Museo della Basilica di San Martino displays finely crafted liturgical furnishings and documents from five centuries of the history of Martina Franca and its collegiate church. The MuBa is intended for people with reduced mobility; access depends crucially on the lift being operational.

Nature and cycling in the countryside

The Museo del Parco delle Pianelle presents the natural heritage of the protected Parco Naturale delle Pianelle, with Mediterranean flora as well as birds of prey and mammals.

The Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto Pugliese includes a section through the Martina Franca countryside, from Pineta Ulmo to Monte Fellone. Pineta Ulmo and Monte Fellone mark the section’s geographical endpoints.

Capocollo and Primitivo

A culinary experience is offered by the tasting tour for Capocollo di Martina Franca. It begins at Salumificio Cervellera, a few kilometres from the centre of Martina Franca, amid the Mediterranean scrubland. The starting point connects the product with the countryside outside the centre. The tour includes a tasting of cured meats with a glass of Primitivo wine.

Planning your days in Martina Franca

The festival and churches can be combined with the MuBa, Museo del Parco delle Pianelle, the Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto Pugliese and the Capocollo tasting to create different daily itineraries.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Taranto.