Ferragosto 2006 in Martina Franca (photos by night)

The Valle d'Itria is always splendid and invites a different kind of tourism. Taking the SS16 at Fasano you turn onto the 172 and soon meet, close to one another, its main towns. The road is busy and a bit demanding on the Fasano-Selva stretch but all in all flowing and well made. Locorotondo has a truly delightful historic centre, unfortunately blighted by the bad weather that ruined more than one open-air event. The restaurants are countless and among them U Curdunn is worth honouring, where the well-known actor Marco Paolini ate a meal after the evening cancelled due to the storm. We also discovered a cultural association, "Il tre ruote ebbro", hosting an interesting exhibition of young, alternative artists. On Ferragosto (15 August), a visit to the Ducal Palace of Martina Franca in the historic centre, passing through the arch of San Martino or Santo Stefano, depending on taste.

The Palace, now the town hall, offers works by minor artists of the Baroque school, among them Domenico Carella. The ceiling frescoes recalling Ovid's Metamorphoses are beautiful. In the little square in front, bars galore. Anyone who fancies a freshly fried panzerotto should go to the BIS BAR — let's not talk about the price: just one euro!!!!! Heading along the crowded historic centre full of shops of all kinds there's the basilica of San Martino with its famous collegiate church. Even though partly covered for restoration, it's a joy to the eyes inside too, with the silver statue of San Martino and the wooden one of the Madonna pastorella. Not to be missed is the antiques market: for a week, furniture and objects from various eras, a marvel for those who know about such things and for those who simply love to browse! It was an August week devoted to culture!