Martina Franca -2
As terrible as the Saracen’s were to the Italian coastal inhabitants there may never have been the many beautiful hill towns without them, usually after some devastating attack or another the sharper among the survivors decide to pick up stakes and move inland such is the case with the founding of Martina in the 10th century after one particularly nasty attack on Taranto.
Martina Franca didn’t receive its last name until the 14th century with the region ruling Anjou dynasty granting the city feudal rights to Pietro del Tocco and a tax free franchise to anyone that would settle the area thereby giving Martina its last name Franca derived from the franchise used to attract citizens, the town prospered with its franchise over the next century soon becoming a walled city with 4 city gates and 24 towers to guard their prosperity.
Pictured here is the Palazzo dell'Università the former seat of 15th century local government with the Torre Civica a recent addition in the 17th century all situated in Piazza Maria Immacolata next to the Duomo this square is the heart of the city where most important events begin or end and the meeting place to discuss the gossip of the day.
I took this on Sept 27, 2016 with my D750 and Nikon 24-85 f3.5-4.5 Lens at 24mm 1/1600s f/4.5 ISO 250 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress
Martina Franca -2
As terrible as the Saracen’s were to the Italian coastal inhabitants there may never have been the many beautiful hill towns without them, usually after some devastating attack or another the sharper among the survivors decide to pick up stakes and move inland such is the case with the founding of Martina in the 10th century after one particularly nasty attack on Taranto.
Martina Franca didn’t receive its last name until the 14th century with the region ruling Anjou dynasty granting the city feudal rights to Pietro del Tocco and a tax free franchise to anyone that would settle the area thereby giving Martina its last name Franca derived from the franchise used to attract citizens, the town prospered with its franchise over the next century soon becoming a walled city with 4 city gates and 24 towers to guard their prosperity.
Pictured here is the Palazzo dell'Università the former seat of 15th century local government with the Torre Civica a recent addition in the 17th century all situated in Piazza Maria Immacolata next to the Duomo this square is the heart of the city where most important events begin or end and the meeting place to discuss the gossip of the day.
I took this on Sept 27, 2016 with my D750 and Nikon 24-85 f3.5-4.5 Lens at 24mm 1/1600s f/4.5 ISO 250 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia, Topaz , and DXO
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress