{"id":41908,"date":"2024-01-05T14:49:25","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T14:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/what-to-see-in-otranto-complete-guide-on-what-to-see-in-2023\/"},"modified":"2025-03-08T13:04:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T13:04:27","slug":"what-to-see-in-otranto-complete-guide-on-what-to-see-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hdsalento.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-otranto-complete-guide-on-what-to-see-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"What to see in Otranto: Complete Guide on what to see"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let’s start by saying that Otranto it is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy<\/strong>; it lies on the Adriatic coast 40 km from Santa Maria di Leuca<\/strong>, boasting the record for being the easternmost town in Italy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Romans called it “Hidruntum<\/em>“<\/strong>, because of a stream flowing through the valley, later becoming Otranto<\/strong>. It was inhabited in the Neolithic period, then populated by the Messapi, the Greeks and finally, conquered by the Romans.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Its geographical position led it to become the most important port in Italy<\/strong>, creating a bridge between East and West. Highly coveted therefore, it was a Byzantine and Gothic, Norman, Swabian, Angevin and Aragonese centre.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chronicles of the time tell of the blessing of 12,000 men for one of the many Crusades<\/strong>, it was 1095. An inauspicious date was August 11th 1480 when Muhammad II’s Turks<\/strong> razed it to the ground, as if that were not enough, on August 14th 800 prisoners were beheaded for not wanting to embrace the Muslim religion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

They are still venerated today as the Martyrs of Otranto<\/a><\/strong>. Few, however, remember the destruction of the Monastery of San Nicola di Casole<\/strong> just south of Otranto, which contained the largest library<\/strong> in what was then considered the West, and the Basilian Monks<\/strong> had established the first college in history<\/strong>, hosting students from all over Europe…<\/p>\n

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In the 17th century<\/strong>, tired of the repeated attacks, the inhabitants abandoned the city for safer places, contributing to its decline. The 1700s saw it recover with the help of wealthy Salento families who invested in the city.<\/p>\n

In the late 19th century<\/strong>, the reclamation of the surrounding lands that had become marshy due to abandonment was carried out, so new lands emerged on which to cultivate, starting a discrete agriculture and reviving the town.<\/p>\n

These vicissitudes brought it with hard work and dedication to what we can admire today sitting comfortably in front of the now safe harbour sipping a lemonade!<\/p>\n

What to see in Otranto<\/h2>\n

Those who choose Otranto as a tourist destination want the best. This can only be had from a city that has more than 2000 years of history, a strategic location, and a Californian climate. Let us briefly try to understand what this beautiful city has to offer.<\/p>\n

Otranto Castle<\/h3>\n

Otranto Castle<\/strong>, or Aragonese Castle<\/strong>, takes its name from the person who had it built; Alfonso d’Aragona started it in 1485 and finished it in 1498, it has a deep moat and like any self-respecting castle it has a drawbridge, the coat of arms of Charles V stands out on the main door.<\/p>\n

Now that men no longer challenge each other in regular combat, the castle only hosts cultural events aimed at world peace.<\/p>\n

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Otranto Cathedral<\/h3>\n

The Cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Annunziata<\/a><\/strong>, it was built in the 12th century and stands on the remains of a Messapic village. Over the years and countless sacks, it was remodelled several times, changing its appearance. Inside, we can admire the stupendous mosaic; the largest in Europe and the remains of the Eight Hundred Martyrs.<\/p>\n

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Mosaic of Otranto<\/h3>\n

The splendid Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata<\/strong> houses an incredible mosaic<\/strong> begun in 1163 and finished in 1165 by Pantaleone<\/strong>, a Basilian monk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Besides being huge, it touches on the highlights of the sacred scriptures with a beautiful tree of life in the centre. For those interested in mosaic art, however, the mosaic features many anomalies and figures that were inconceivable at the time.<\/p>\n

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Even today scholars from all over the world try to decipher its secrets, without coming to any conclusion. Perhaps Pantaleone wanted to leave a memory of himself not for the beauty of the work, but for the simplicity of the chaos.<\/p>\n

The Grotta dei Cervi (Deer Cave)<\/h3>\n

The Grotta dei Cervi<\/strong> is a cave you should be aware of, but unfortunately it cannot be seen. It is a natural coastal cave situated in the bay of Porto Badisco, not far from Otranto, it was discovered in 1970. Its importance is such that it was decided to keep it closed.<\/p>\n

Inside, there are beautiful drawings depicting deer hunting scenes<\/strong> made of ochre and bat guano dating back to the Neolithic period.<\/strong><\/p>\n