What to see in Martina Franca: the Baroque historic centre, the Ducal Palace, the Basilica of San Martino and the Itria Valley. A complete guide with directions.
History
The origins of Martina Franca date to the tenth century, when citizens of Taranto, fleeing pirate raids, founded a village on the Monte di San Martino. The name unites devotion to Saint Martin of Tours with the term "Franca", added in the fourteenth century when Philip I of Anjou raised the village to a town, granting its inhabitants exemptions and privileges.
It was in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries that the city lived its greatest splendour, enriched with noble palazzi and churches that today make it one of the capitals of the Puglian Baroque, alongside Lecce.
Set on the south-eastern hills of the Murgia, Martina Franca is one of the most charming towns of the Itria Valley, the land of trulli and white villages.
What to see
The heart of Martina Franca is its historic centre, a labyrinth of whitewashed alleys and courtyards where the Baroque expresses itself in every detail. Don't miss the Basilica of San Martino, an eighteenth-century masterpiece with a façade animated by pilasters, capitals and the high relief dedicated to the saint.
Dominating the town is the Ducal Palace, built in the second half of the seventeenth century, today the town hall and exhibition space. All around, aristocratic palazzi, churches and squares tell of the refined taste of the local nobility.
In the surroundings, the countryside dotted with trulli and masserie leads towards Locorotondo, Cisternino and Alberobello, in the heart of the Itria Valley.
Did you know…
- Martina Franca is famous for the Itria Valley Festival, an important opera festival held every summer.
- Martina Franca capocollo is a celebrated local gastronomic product, a bastion of tradition.
- It is only 15 km from Alberobello and 7 km from Locorotondo, in the heart of the Itria Valley.
Practical information
| Hours | The historic centre can be visited at any time. For the Ducal Palace and churches, check local opening times. |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Visiting the historic centre is free. Any exhibitions or museums may charge entry. |
| Accessibility | The historic centre is partly marked by cobbled alleys and rises and falls. |
| Getting there | From Taranto: SS172 (about 36 km). By train with Ferrovie del Sud Est, Martina Franca station. |
Not to miss
★ PremiumLa Tavernetta
📍 Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 30, Martina Franca
Much loved by locals, generous portions and no-nonsense traditional cooking.
★ PremiumOsteria del Coco Pazzo
📍 Via Arco Mastrovito, 18, Martina Franca
A short but carefully crafted menu, a homely atmosphere in the heart of the old town.
★ PremiumLa Tana
📍 Via Pietro Mascagni, 2, Martina Franca
In a former granary of the Ducal Palace, among the best spots for orecchiette in the area.
★ PremiumRistorante Gaonas
📍 Via Arco Valente, 17, Martina Franca
In a lane away from the tourist crowds, slow food cuisine with great attention to detail.
Addresses for guidance: names, management and hours may change. Always check before visiting.
Full listing
Indicative list compiled from public sources. To be featured among our partners, contact us.
Tips for your visit
- Visit the historic centre at sunset, when the white stone turns gold.
- If travelling in summer, check the Itria Valley Festival calendar.
- Taste the Martina Franca capocollo in one of the centre's delicatessens.
- Use Martina Franca as a base to explore the Itria Valley and the trulli.