Cisternino

35 minutes from Trullo della Pace

The country, in a hilly position (394 meters above sea level), overlooks the splendid Itria Valley, cradle of the trulli’s architectural culture.
The best thing to do in Cisternino is wandering around the country’s narrow streets.
Then when you come to the Chiesa Madre di San Nicola is worth a visit and take a look: the Renaissance has left some artistic traces in this church, by the artist Stefano da Putignano.
A photo deserves the sweeping view of the Itria Valley that enjoys from the great “terrace” located along the main street of the village.

To visit:

Chiesa Madre di San Nicola

The main and the most beautiful church in Cisternino is the Mother Church of St. Nicola of Patara, not far from Pizza Garibaldi, which was erected on the site of worship of the Basilian monks, but which has changes and remodeling altered the primitive medieval appearance.

WEB: http://www.visitcisternino.it/it/scopri/chiesa-madre-di-san-nicola-di-patara-053.html

Clock Tower (Torre dell’orologio)

The tower was built in 1850 by the Alberobello’s “Curri” masters.
The façade, divided in multiple orders, has different openings and the clock is all crowned with a groove, defined by a curved frame, with a metal pinnacle.

Address: Via Tarantini, 2-19 – 72014 – Cisternino

Palazzo Vescovile

The palace was built in 1560 by the bishop of the period, F. O. Preconio and was expanded by his successor, Bishop A. Porzio, in 1583.

WEB: http://www.visitcisternino.it/it/scopri/il-palazzo-vescovile-049.html

Santuario della Madonna d’Ibernia

About 3 km from the town of Cisternino, in the direction of Monti, there is the famous XII century Romanesque Iberian Madonna Shrine, built on the remains of a pre-existing basilic cenobio built not far from the Roman temple devoted to the goddess of fertility Cybele.

  • Weekly street market: Monday

  • January 17: Fiera di sant’Antonio Abate.

  • Tuesday before Easter: Fiera del Martedì Santo.

  • Monday after Easter: Pasquarèdde is one of the festivals that the “Cisternese” folklore emphasizes for the joyous character that infuses throughout the population.

  • June 13: Festa di sant’Antonio da Padova.

  • July 15: Farmyard and Sant’ Quirino fair

  • August: Feast of Orecchiette. It is almost a family holiday for the cheerfulness that involves relatives and friends. The hospitality doesn’t exclude the many tourists present, dragging them in their dances and singing, while consuming “Orecchiette”, a delicious Apulian pasta, seasoned with a ragu prepared with beef, pork and sheep.

  • August: The rabbit feast. It is the fertility feast par excellence. The rabbit, grilled, or baked, or, again, with different flavors accompanies the local dishes.

  • September: the Grape Festival is a moment of feast. Grapes are the symbol of prosperity and abundance. Black and yellow grape bunches are distributed by the winemakers to all the participants in this great party, while the children dance and sing.

  • September 8: “Bomminella” feast.