4 things to see in Otranto
Otranto is the easternmost town in Italy, and it is located in the south-eastern region of Puglia, at the heel of the “boot”. It belongs to the Province of Lecce. The harbor is small and has little trade; tourism and services dominate the local economy. This jewel on the Adriatic coast is stunning for its picturesque architecture and tiny alleys, crammed with small shops, restaurants, and bars next to historic palaces of noble families. With thousands of annual arrivals Otranto experiences a heavy seasonal tourism that peaks during summertime - but rest is guaranteed during wintertime when its cobblestone streets are barely visited by tourists. If you are longing for a truly authentic Puglia experience, you can't miss out on a trip to Otranto!
What to see in Otranto
The history of Otranto
Otranto is one of the oldest cities in southern Italy. This ancient port belonged first to the Messapians and then to Greek colonists, and with the Romans it was in fact named Hydruntum and elevated to the status of municipality, thus becoming one of the most important cities in Apulia. The Strait of Otranto, to which the city gives its name, connects the Adriatic Sea to the wider Mediterranean Sea and separates Italy from Albania. In fact, on a clear day it is not unusual to see the Albanian coast rising on the horizon.
The city center
The center of Otranto is charming and unique and must-see: white houses, one on top of the other, overlook a maze of cobblestone streets framed by clotheslines and lined with craft stores and historic businesses. Many ancient houses have been turned into restaurants or shops selling local products like wine, olive oil and leather goods.
The cathedral
Built in 1088, Otranto Cathedral is famous for its elegant and unassuming style that blends amazingly with the rest of the city's architecture, but also for its splendid 12th-century mosaic depicting the tree of life. The bones of 800 people killed during the Turkish invasion of 1480 are also preserved in this beautiful church. Here, the closeness of Salento culture to its Byzantine and Eastern roots stands out more than it does anywhere else in the region.
The Bauxite quarry
The bauxite quarry is situated in the municipality of Otranto, on the coast of Salento, and it represents one of the most important naturalistic treasures of the region. The presence of bauxite in the area was discovered around 1940 and the cave was mined until 1976. Since then, a small lake ecosystem has developed in the abandoned quarry. The scenery is charming, with a little emerald-green lake which is believed to have acquired its color due to seepage from the nearby water table.
The Aragonese castle
The Aragonese Castle, which dates back to the 15th century, is bordered on all sides by a deep moat that is crossed at the entrance by a bridge, with a stone arch and wooden footing that probably originally served as a drawbridge. This fortress, which gave its name to the first Gothic novel in history, forms part of the original defensive apparatus of the citadel.