Things to do in Martina Franca | Top 7 must see highlights
Martina Franca definitely was a positive surprise for me! An incredibly beautiful city, whose old center was bigger than expected.
Sights to see in Martina Franca are Palazzo Ducale, Porta di Santo Stefano, Basilica di San Martino and Piazza Maria Immacolata.
Do you want to know what things to do in Martina Franca? And the best sights you don’t want to miss? Then read on quickly!
Things to do in Martina Franca
Because of the former city wall, the center of Martina Franca is easy to recognize. Inside the circle of the city wall, it is a big maze of white streets and houses that look beautiful one by one!
So I would recommend you to stroll through the streets and let yourself be surprised. Every little street is truly beautiful.
However, there are a few sights you really shouldn’t miss! These are as follows:
What to do in Martina Franca?
Palazzo Ducale
Palazzo Ducale is a magnificent palace that you will encounter immediately as you walk through the Porta di Santo Stefano. The palace was built in the 16th century by order of Duke Petracone Caracciolo.
Palazzo Ducale di Martina Franca was built on the remains of an ancient castle and is located on the square ‘Piazza Roma‘.
On the inside you will find numerous of beautiful frescoes by Domenico Carella. I highly recommended you to see them! Admission to Palazzo Ducale is also free.
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 10:00 – 12:30 and 16:00 to 18:00
Porta di Santo Stefano
Martina Franca has 4 city gates, of which the Porta di Santo Stefano located at Piazza XX Settembre is the most famous. The Porta di Santo Stefano dates from the 15th century and is built entirely in the Baroque style.
The city gate is bursting with beautiful decorations and one of the things you have to see in Martina Franca.
Unfortunately, this beautiful city gate was destroyed and the Porta di Santo Stefano was rebuilt in 1764. Once you pass under the gate you will arrive at Palazzo Ducale and Piazza Roma.
Basilica di San Martino
This cathedral is the main attraction of Martina Franca and dedicated to the patron saint of the city. The Basilica di San Martino is incredibly large and imposing situated on a beautiful staircase.
The Basilica di San Martino was built from 1747 to 1785 and has been on the World Heritage List since 2002.
The cathedral was built in the Barocco Martuinese style, which is typical for Martina Franca. The beautiful Cattedrale San Martino is located at Piazza Plebiscito.
Inside you can admire the main marble altar from 1773. In addition, you will find the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the crib of Stefano da Putignano.
Piazza Maria Immacolata
Are you looking for the vibrant center? Then Piazza Maria Immacolata is the place to be! This is the most beautiful and atmospheric square in Marina Franca. You will recognize the square by its round shape with beautiful columns.
The small square is bursting with restaurants. From Piazza Maria Immacolata you look out on the magnificent Basilica di San Martino.
Church of Saint Anthony of Padua
Other things to do in Martina Franca? Visit the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, also called Parrocchia Sant’Antonio Da Padova in Italian. It is dedicated to Saint Santo Stefano, just like the city gate Porta di Santo Stefano.
You will find this beautiful church right next to Villa Garibaldi. The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua was built in the 15th century. However, in 1835 the facade of the church was renewed in the neoclassical style.
In front of the church you will find a nice little square called Piazza Sant’Antonio.
Villa Garibaldi
Villa Garibaldi feels like a delightful oasis. In fact, nowhere in Martina Franca you will find any greenery in the old historic center.
The park Villa Garibaldi is well maintained and looks clean. A great place to relax, especially in the hot summers. Take a seat on one of the benches or go for a short walk.
Chiesa Parrocchiale della Madonna del Carmine
A beautiful church not to be missed, just outside the historic center of Martina Franca. The Chiesa Parrocchiale della Madonna del Carmine is completely in the Baroque style and the construction started in 1730. It took until 1758 before the church was completely finished.
Along this church you will also find a nice park ‘Giardini Villa Madonna del Carmine‘.
Piazza Roma
You will find this cozy square right when you walk through the Porta di Santo Stefano. It’s a cute square with a small park in the middle with a beautiful fountain ‘Fontana dei Delfini‘.
At Piazza Roma you will find some nice coffee shops such as ‘Arcadia Tap Bar‘ and ‘Superbar Carriero‘. Furthermore, from here you have a nice view on Piazza Ducale.
What to see in Martina Franca?
Of course, the Valle d’Itria is known for its many white towns (città bianche). Martina Franca belongs to them as well. Particularly, because of the whitewashed La Lama district.
Martina Franca was one of the towns that I was’nt looking forward to. After doing some reading on the Internet, I thought it was one of the smaller and less interesting towns.
For me, Martina Franca was really a surprise in a positive sense. It is an incredibly nice town where you can easily enjoy yourself for 3 hours.
I expected Martina Franca to be smaller than Ostuni and Locorotondo, but Martina Franca turned out to have a pretty big center.
What is the history of Martina Franca?
The city of Martina Franca is located in the Tarente region and was founded in the 13th century by a prince of Tarente. However, it was not until the 18th century that Martina Franca really flourished as an important commercial town. Thus, many of the important buildings also come from the 18th century.
Martina Franca has 50,000 inhabitants and used to have a city wall that completely surrounded the city. Unfortunately, very little of this city wall remains today.
Indeed, today you can only see the 4 city gates, of which the Porta di Santo Stefano is the most famous.
How did Martina Franca get its name?
Martina Franca used to be called San Martino, in reference to the town’s patron saint. However, around the 14th century there were many attacks by the Turks.
San Martino, with its city walls that surrounded all of the city, provided a safe haven for residents from nearby.
The Spanish ruler Philip I therefore decided to add “Franca” which stands for “safe place” to the city name San Martino in 1310.
