Cisternino

Cisternino (Cistraníne in the local dialect) overlooks the Valle d’Itria, in the so-called Murgia dei trulli. To this day, in the area of Monte Specchia, on the hills of Restano and on the wild cliffs of Serra Amara, prehistoric tools of all kinds are still discovered: assegais, blades, scrapers and burins to engrave bones. The name Cisternino may come from the eponymous hero Sturno, companion of the Homeric hero Diomedes who escaped the Trojan war. He is said to have founded a nearby city which, later occupied by the Romans, was called Sturninum, the current Ostuni. The name derives from “Cis-Sturninum“, meaning beyond Sturni. The historic center is a fascinating example of spontaneous architecture, where you will find wonderful trulli perfectly preserved and historical palaces, such as the palace of the Governor, the Episcopal Palace, the Capece tower. The territory around the village is characterized by the presence of the Boschi comunali (municipal forests), the largest vegetal formation in the whole province and by the Cycle path of water, the second bike path on water system in Europe. The cycle path is developped along the service road to the main channel of the aqueduct in Locorotondo, crossing the territories of Cisternino, Ostuni, up to the territory of Ceglie Messapica, near the pinewood Ulmo. The itinerary is developped in the Mediterranean maquis, away from the traffic, skirting farms and rural houses, trulli and contradee, appreciating all the beauty of the Itria Valley. Among the most expected folkloristic events in Cisternino, there is surely Easter Monday. Called in the local dialect Pasquarèdde, this festival will be held at the Sanctuary of the Madonna d’Irbernia, where people usually go bringing the typical sweets (in the form of a purse with two boiled eggs for children, one in the form of a doll with a boiled egg for girls), called “u churrüchele“; it should bring prosperity and fertility. It’s no coincidence that Madonna of Ibernia is the one of life, fertility and abundance. The most renowned festivals, which will be held between Cisternino and its surroundings, are: the festival of orecchiette and of the rabbit, which take place in August, and the grape festival, that takes place in September. The cistranese cuisine typically reflects the most classical traditions of Bari and Murgia dei trulli gastronomy with some small incursion of the alto Salento one. The characteristics of this genuine tradition are especially the recipes based on meat and vegetables, with a special predilection for game meat dishes.