Martina Franca is a charming Baroque town located a few kilometers from Alberobello and is the largest municipality in the Valle d’Itria (the Valley of Trulli).
The name it is known by was first given by Philip I of Anjou. The town’s golden age was in the 18th century when the most important monuments and churches, which still dot the historic center, were built. Baroque is the dominant style, found in many civil and religious buildings; here, it has taken on distinctive traits that set it apart from other variations of this artistic and architectural movement, to the extent that one can speak of Martinese Baroque.
The main Baroque buildings include the Church of San Martino and the Ducal Palace. Walking through the historic center, one is captivated by the majestic and evocative facade of the Basilica where the statue of the patron saint, San Martino, can also be admired. Continuing the cultural journey through the city’s history, passing through Piazza Roma, you will find the famous Ducal Palace, built by Duke Caracciolo in the 17th century and today the town hall and the main venue of the Valle d’Itria Festival.
An annual summer event for music lovers since 1975, the Valle d’Itria Festival in Martina Franca is one of the leading festivals of classical and opera music in the world. Each year, between mid-July and the beginning of August, the festival stages a series of operas. The operas are generally organized in the enchanting setting of the Ducal Palace of Martina Franca, while chamber orchestral music and choral concerts take place at various locations around Martina Franca and in neighboring towns.
