History of Martina Franca
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| Martina Franca is a historic baroque city set in the unspoilt countryside of the Puglia region of Southern Italy. Martina Franca is perfectly placed on the high Murge limestone plateau, between Bari and Brindisi on the Adriatic Sea and Taranto on the Ionian Coast. The landscape of the Itria Valley is unique, with the bright and contrasting colours of its soil, vines and olives, dotted with trulli, the characteristic ancient local houses with conical stone roofs.Established in the 14th century by Philip d’Angiò on San Martino mountain on a site settled in the 10th Century by Tarantines escaping Saracen invaders, the town takes its name from San Martino, the patron |
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| saint, and the tax exemptions granted to its inhabitants by Philip as Prince of Taranto. (franca meaning free). Around 1310 the Prince surrounded the four casali (hamlets) of Montedoro, San Martino, Santa Teresa and San Pietro dei Greci with grand fortified walls and towers so that by the beginning of the 14th century Martina Franca was a strategic defence point on the Taranto to Monopoli road. The walls, which define the outline of historic town centre, have now gone, but many towers remain and the casali live on in the names of its narrow streets and alleys.In 1507 Martina Franca became part of the feudal estate of the Caracciolo family, Dukes of the Kingdom of Naples. This cancelled earlier tax advantages, leading the inhabitants, headed by Capodiferro, to rise up in unsuccessful rebellion against the Dukes who stayed in power until 1806. During the Caracciolo period, the economy developed based on agriculture and stock breeding and the town was renewed as a magnificent new urban settlement and a capital of baroque architecture. | ||
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The Caracciolo family prompted this singular architectural development, favouring the building of the Ducal Palace in 1668 on the ruins of an ancient castle. The palace is attributed to Giovanni Andrea Larducci, but according to the tradition, is based on a plan and stylistic opinion by Bernini. The great rooms of the Ducal Palace, which now hosts the Town Hall, include frescoed pictorial scenes by Domenico Carella from Martina. Other masterpieces of “Salentine Baroque” include | |
| • the collegiate Church of St. Martino (1737) with its magnificent porch, marbles and silver statues of St. Nicola and St. Comasia. • the churches of St. Domenico, Madonna del Carmine and St. Francesco. • remarkable palaces such as the Caroli, Fanelli, Maggi, Motolese and Ancona.A walk in the old part of town will reveal many more small masterpieces at every corner.Martina Franca is, today, a beautiful city which has kept its ancient flavour, but has developed new trades such as making fashion clothing alongside agriculture, traditional food and wine and tourism.Martina Franca with other towns of the Itria Valley, is already well known to Italian visitors. It is now an emerging international tourist destination, due to its location, its easy access to airports and ferries (Bari and Brindisi, some 60 minutes drive), its close proximity to two seas (30 minutes drive), the beauty of its country side, history and architecture and its traditional gastronomy.The following are two itineraries that will guide You through Martina Franca to discover its more remarkable historical, architectural and artistic sites. |
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| First Itinerary: 1)Piazza XX Settembre (Arco di St. Stefano) 2)Piazza Roma (Palazzi Nardelli, Ducale, Martucci) 3)Via St. Rosa, Via Masaniello (Bell tower of St. Martino Church) Via Stabile(Palazzo Stabile) Piazza Plebiscito( Chiesa di St. Martino), Torre Civica, antico Palazzo del Comune) 4)Piazza Immacolata (Portici arch. D. Conversano) 5)Via C. Cavour (Palazzo Torricella, Palazzo Magli, Palazzo Motolese) |
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| Second Itinerary:1) Piazza Immacolata, Via G. Garibaldi, Via Principe Umberto (Palazzo Motulese, Chiesa di St. Domenico), Arco Casavola (Palazzo Marino Motulese) 2) Vico P. Umberto, Via C. Colombo (Chiesa di San Nicola), Via Ghibellini, Via G. Mazzini, (Palazzo Marinosci, Palazzo Gioia), Via M;acchiavelli (Casa Ancona), Via Orfanelli (Casa Cappellari), Via Cappelletti, Via Pergolesi (Chiesa del Carmine), Via Donizetti, Piazza M. Pagano (Chiesa di St. Francesco)Glossary: a small dictionary to help your walk through Martina Franca: Piazza = Square Arco = Arch Via = Street Palazzo = Palace Chiesa = Church Portico = Porch Vico = Alley |
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