San Pietro

San Pietro is a church with a Greek cross layout featuring three naves, each ending in a small apse. The apses are topped with small windows that allow light to enter the interior space in a measured way.

The church was built between the 9th and 10th centuries and served as the first basilica in the city. Its construction reflected connections to Constantinople's patriarchal authority that shaped religious life at that time.

The church displays Byzantine frescoes with religious scenes that visitors can see on the walls and apses. These artworks reflect the artistic traditions that shaped the spiritual life of medieval communities in this region.

The location sits in the town center and is easy to reach on foot. Visiting in the morning is recommended, as the light is best and there are fewer people around.

Arabic script praising Allah is preserved on the interior walls, evidence of this city's complex religious past. This inscription shows how different faiths coexisted in this medieval port town.

Location: Otranto

Architectural style: Byzantine architecture

Website: https://comune.otranto.le.it/vivere-il-comune/territorio/da-visitare/item/basilica-bizantina-di-san-pietro?category_id=11516

GPS coordinates: 40.14564,18.49255

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:05