I’ll take you back to Puglia for the next few posts. We covered a fair bit of territory on our visit earlier this year.
Locorotondo means round town. If you were able to view it from above you could easily see that. It looks very pretty view from the nearby town of Cisternino.
Like many towns in Puglia (and all over Italy) Locorotondo sits on top of a hill.
We found a park not far from the Centro Storico and began our walk around the old town at Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II where we found the tourist information office.
Walking on from the piazza the old town hall, now the municipal library, with the clock tower stands out.
Turning left into pretty Via Morelli the Baroque Palazzo Morelli comes into view. It is one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Locorotondo.
Our next stop was the tiny St Nicholas church.
The magnificent St George church was built in Neoclassical style between 1790 and 1825.
One of the first things you will notice is a particular style of house with a pointed roof. They are called cummerse and are mostly whitewashed.
The streets are narrow. The houses and shops are well kept and often have pretty gardens and house decorations.
There was not a lot open while we were there. It only took about an hour to wander through the historical centre and we were soon on our way to another town. I wonder how these towns survive on a tourist season that lasts just a couple of months each year.
I stopped in Locorotondo briefly a few years ago…lovely narrow streets, and white buildings, very evident in your photographs
By: Sue on July 21, 2019
at 9:22 pm
It is a pretty town, but there was not much happening.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 21, 2019
at 9:45 pm
Not when I was there either
By: Sue on July 22, 2019
at 7:14 am
You. Brought back many memories of our stay in s trulli right outside if Locorotondo. The bibliotechi was the only place we could get wifi in 2010…..remember well walking those streets.
By: sealights99 on July 21, 2019
at 10:31 pm
We stayed in a Trulli outside Locorotondo as well. It was almost impossible to find, but pretty once we finally did.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 21, 2019
at 11:07 pm
We visited Locorotondo, and many other towns in Puglia when we visited in May/June. It was lovely! The only problem we encountered was the shops closing from 1.30 – 4.30pm every day – very difficult when you are trying to drive around visiting various locations, stay for lunch and then wander the streets!
By: Evvoke on July 23, 2019
at 10:43 am
Most small towns and some bigger ones close in the afternoon. It is disappointing to arrive just as everything closes for a few hours. It is traditional and Italians seem reluctant to change this, even though is no longer practical. Many years ago, when families lived above their businesses it would have been a reasonable thing to close for lunch, have a rest and go back to work, but these days most people work far away and can’t go home. I see people leave for work at 7.30am and not arrive home until 8.30pm, which makes for a very long day with a useless gap in the middle of the day.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 23, 2019
at 11:57 am
It’s very pretty and what strikes me about a lot of these Italian towns is how quiet and clean they are. Do you take pics early on the in the morning?
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on July 23, 2019
at 10:52 am
The town was pretty and clean, but these photos were taken in the late afternoon. There was almost nobody about.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 23, 2019
at 11:58 am
What a lovely town Debra!
By: thirdeyemom on July 23, 2019
at 9:54 pm
Pretty, but empty.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 4, 2019
at 8:33 am
We visited Locorotondo shortly after you. It’s so charming. We also stayed in a trullo that was impossible to find- in fact we were lost in Cisternino because some streets were closed and they sent someone to lead us to the trullo. That same night when we went out for dinner we got thoroughly turned around and drove around the dark countryside for almost an hour before finding our turn. At one point I thought we would be spending the night in the car! I do love the area though.
By: paninigirl on July 25, 2019
at 8:15 pm
I have to say that Puglia is not my favourite place in Italy. Some of it is pretty, but it is either ridiculously crowded (Alberobello) or practically empty. We have been twice and I doubt that we will return.
By: Debra Kolkka on July 25, 2019
at 9:01 pm
Good. Stay away.
By: jj@y.com on August 4, 2019
at 7:51 am
Thank you for your comment, I probably will.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 4, 2019
at 8:11 am
I’m awed by your photography skills, Deb!! You really advertise well the unique beauties of Italian towns off the beaten track. Love your pictures!! xx
By: Sandra Hoopmann on July 25, 2019
at 10:49 pm
Thank you, there are some pretty buildings in the town.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 4, 2019
at 8:32 am