Otranto, Coastal commune in Puglia, Italy
Description
Otranto is a coastal commune in Apulia on the Adriatic Sea, where white limestone houses cluster around a sheltered harbor and beach. Narrow lanes wind between the buildings and descend toward the waterfront, while the old quarter sits on a slight elevation above the sea.
History
The town was conquered by Ottoman forces in the 15th century, when hundreds of residents were executed after refusing to renounce their faith. Later, the settlement recovered and became an important trading point between Italy and the eastern Mediterranean.
Culture
The cathedral floor displays a medieval mosaic stretching across more than a thousand square meters, combining human figures, animals, and biblical episodes into a continuous visual narrative. Visitors today can walk through the church during opening hours and observe this 12th-century artwork at close range.
Practical
The harbor offers regular ferry services to Greece and Albania during summer months, suitable for travelers heading to the region. The old quarter is easy to explore on foot, as most points of interest lie within a short distance of each other.
Did you know?
As the easternmost point of mainland Italy, this spot sees the first sunrise in the country over the Adriatic Sea each morning. The lighthouse at Punta Palascia marks this geographic extreme, accessible to walkers along the coastline.
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Otranto Cathedral
487 m
Castello di Otranto
688 m
Deer Cave
7.2 km
Aragonese Castle of Otranto
663 m
Baia dei Turchi
5.6 km
San Pietro
613 mMonastero di S. Nicola di Casole
3.2 km
Torre del Serpe
1.8 km
Punta Palascia Lighthouse
5.3 km
Alimini
6.9 km
Parco naturale regionale Costa Otranto - S.Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase
6.1 km
Torre Sant'Emiliano
6.4 km
Spiaggia di Porto Badisco
7.4 km
Torre Santo Stefano
4.1 km
Torre dell'Orte
2.3 km
Chiesa Madre (Giurdignano)
5.3 km
Circolo Ippico Tumara
2.2 km
Baia dei Micenei
909 m
Caletta Porto Russo
7.8 km
Dolmen Li Scusi
7.4 km
Parco Avventura Orte
2.1 km
Chiesa Madre di San Michele Arcangelo (Casamassella)
4.6 km
Spiaggia di Cala Casotto
2.8 km
Percorso megalitico
5.9 kmGrotta Sfondata
2.5 kmGrotta di Mafar
11.8 km
Spiaggia della Punticeddha
11.9 kmGrotta Dello Mbruficu
12 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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