Day 3 - Locorotonda

So today was such a great day. We drove up to one of the  prettiest villages in Italy Locorotondo. The whitewashed limestone building gleaming on the top of the hill made this village feel so rural Italy. I couldn’t wait to visit. We organised a 2 hour walking tour as I really like to know about where I am, how the locals live, why the buildings are made of limestone and so forth. Our guide Fabio was the perfect person to take us. His knowledge of growing up in the area gave us first hand knowledge.

The whitewashed streets of Locorotondo aren’t just beautiful. Built from local limestone and coated in limewash, they were designed to keep homes cool in the Apulian heat while reflecting the brilliant southern Italian sun.

We spoke a lot about the community and how the narrow streets, stairs going up to the houses and that people looked after one another. I enjoyed seeing how each person outside of their home decorated the doorways with something unique. The crochet street art hanging between the homes, the ceramic jugs made into plant holders with cactus just spilling out of them, the iron table and chairs laid out with a crotchet mat ready for a cup of coffee with a passing neighbour. 

One of the areas I enjoyed seeing was the local park, all the older gentlemen hanging out together, talking, socialising, I was guessing their wives had told them to get from under their feet so they were like young boys all laughing and joking in the local park. One gentleman we thought may have been snoozing but he was on his phone. How times change, maybe he was scrolling instagram. 

All the time I am visiting the area I am taking myself back in time, back to a time my Granny used to crotchet and make beautiful mats, blankets, so many different items. She used to do embroidery and took great care and pride with her pieces. As we walked around I found this quaint shop with a lady who was over the moon to show me what she had made, how she still used her old frames and some of the timeless pieces on display. It took me right back to times with my Granny.  I bought my Mum a small gift in here as I know she would appreciate the effort having grown up around this. 

We also went to a local artist, we chatted to him and I chose the painting I wanted to bring home. He was so happy, it was his favourite of all the paintings and he had used it on his local art show flyers. He was painting as we entered his shop. 

Leaving Locorotonda I felt full of nostalgia and comfort knowing that this little village is thriving using their own materials to build their homes, crafting and displaying their crafts and they are happy, its a thriving community and one I am glad I took the time to see. 

I have pockets in my home of items I have bought while in away, reminders long after the suitcase has been put away. Lovely memories.

This is what it’s about for me.

For Moody Merchant I would love to find some wonderful embroidered pieces crafted here in Puglia, I am certain about the ceramics I am sourcing and feel so inspired to bring a small piece of Puglia into your homes. It means so much more if you understand where it has come from, why I bought it back and how it was made. 

I hope I have shared enough of Locorotonda with you and maybe one day you will visit yourselves.  I hope so.