Martina Franca
Martina Franca is a town with a population of 50,000 in Apulia, southern Italy.
Understand
Martina Franca is the main centre of Itria Valley, a karst depression area straddling the provinces of Bari, Brindisi and Taranto, in which it is located.
Get in
By plane
- ๐ Brindisi Airport (BDS IATA known as Aeroporto del Salento), Contrada Baroncino, โ +39 0831 411 7406. It's the closest airport to the town, located at about 1 hr by car through expressway and provincial roads. It's served by TuiFly, My Air, Alpi Eagles, AirOne, ITA Airways and Ryanair.
- ๐ Bari Karol Wojtyลa Airport (BRI IATA), Viale Enzo Ferrari, โ +39 080 580 0200, toll-free: +39 800 949 944. It represents another option to reach Martina Franca, mainly because of the higher number of destinations available; it's a little further, at 90 km (56 miles) north through the Adriatic expressway and state roads. There are approximately 40 various cheap flights into Bari from various European airports.
By train
Train is probably the worst option to reach the town by the nearby province capitals โ even if the ๐ train station is just few steps steps from the historic centre โ since Martina Franca railway station is served only by a local train company that provides quite not easy services on old railway lines. Direct trains from Bari can take about 2ยผ hr at a cost of โฌ6,5 while from Brindisi you will have to change train at least once taking not less than 3 hr at a cost of about โฌ10. From Taranto there are very few direct trains per day taking 1 hr at a cost of โฌ2,5, while from Lecce there are four trains taking almost 3 hr at โฌ7,9. If you choose this option be aware that the service can be unreliable and the travel could become an (ugly) adventure. Check Ferrovie del Sud Est site for detailed info.
By car
- From the airport of Bari: take expressway until the exit Taranto-Valle d'Itria and continue on towards Taranto. In total you will take 1 hr for a distance of 90 km (56 mi).
- From the airport of Brindisi: take expressway towards Bari until the exit Ostuni-Torre Pozzella, then take to reach and bypass Ostuni, then continue on to reach the new town. In total less than 1 hr for 62 km (38 mi).
- From Lecce: take expressway until Brindisi then follow the route described above. 1 hr 20 min for 100 km (62 mi).
- From Taranto: just drive along for less than ยฝ hr.
Get around
See
- ๐ Basilica di San Martino (Cathedral), Piazza del Plebiscito, โ +39 080 430 6536. City's main and largest church, characterized by a majestic baroque faรงade.
- ๐ Chiesa del Carmine, Via Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, โ +39 080 430-3291. 07:00-12:30, 15:30-20:30.
- ๐ Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace), Piazza Roma, 28, โ +39 080 480 5702. 09:00-20:00. Elegant 17th century three-story building realized in Baroque style, like all of the most notable palaces in town and it unfortunately only a part of a larger project. The rooms of the main floor are decorated with late 18th century frescoes by the Apulian painter Domenico Carella and host temporary expositions organized for the Valle d'Itria Festival. Free entry.
- ๐ Porta di Santo Stefano (Arco di San Martino), Piazza XX Settembre.
- ๐ Palazzo Narducci, Piazza Roma, 25. Quite little Baroque building built beside the Ducal palace, characterized by pilasters and string courses, made in local limestone, that crown the elegant whitewashed facade. Unfortunately the palace is a private property and it's not open to the public so you can just admire it from the square.
Drink
- ๐ Chi Se Ne Food. Cocktail and craft beer bar in the center of the city, has outdoor seating.
Go next
Martina Franca is unfortunately badly linked through public transport and the best choice to explore the nearby localities is driving, but it is surrounded by some of country's most beautiful villages such as Locorotondo (10 min), Cisternino (15 min), the world-famous Alberobello (20 min) and the "white town" of Ostuni (ยฝ hr). The museums of the province capital Taranto can be reached in ยฝ hr while Bari, Lecce and Matera are all at about 1ยผ hr of journey time by car.