Otranto, Coastal commune in Puglia, Italy
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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