Introducing Martina Franca
Graceful baroque buildings, airy piazzas and a web of lanes make up Martina Franca’s old quarter, Puglia at its most elegant. This town is the highest in the Murgia, and was founded in the 10th century by refugees fleeing the Arab invasion of Taranto. It only started to flourish in the 14th century when Philip of Anjou granted tax exemptions (franchigie, hence Franca); the town became so wealthy that a castle and defensive walls complete with 24 solid bastions were built. The modern-day town is just as comfortable and contented as its historic counterpart and is a prosperous wine-producing centre.
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Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Sicily, Alberobello and Southern Italy
by ledblimp 17 June 2011
Myself, I love Palermo. Spent 3 days there last week and want to go back soon. There is alot of trash in the streets but you will run…
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RE: Lecce to Alberobello
by neckervd 12 June 2011
Timetable Martina Franca - Alberobello - Castellana Grotte - Bari: http://www.fseonline.it/pdf/orariBari.pdf Timetable Lecce - Manduria…
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Lecce to Alberobello
by chocolatelover 12 June 2011
I am trying to get from Lecce to alberobello to spend 1 night, then next day Martina Franca and then Bari where we fly out of. I can see…
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