South Puglia
Otranto
Otranto is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight for its “culture of peace” and is a bridge between East and West. This town has over 800 years of history with a series of different cultural influences, including Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Aragonese.
What to See in Otranto
Otranto: one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, the most easterly town in the country, a castle built on water with a history centre that’s a treasure chest protected by the city walls. Close to Otranto there are some of the most unspoilt places in Salento. In short, if you want to be amazed at every corner, you’re in the right place.
Did you Know?
Between stories and legends that tell of a vibrant past, thousands of words could be written about Otranto. Here are a few curiosities to help you get to know this incredible town in Puglia.
The dialect version of “Turkish sons”. Residents of Otranto are also known this way. It is a reference to the storming of the city by Turkish soldiers in 1480. This led to many “Turkish sons” being born.
The town’s coat of arms depicts a tower enveloped by a snake, that recalls a legend that once upon a time there was a lighthouse watched over by soldiers. One night whilst the soldiers slept, a snake came out of the water, entered the tower and reached the light that guided the ships, and drank the lamp oil. Therefore the light went out which caused a shipwreck of a galleon that was on the sea below.
This book was the first gothic novel, and was published in 1764. It is set in the Aragonese Castle. The author was charmed by the beauty and the mystery of the castle, and therefore named his book after the building.
There are many granite spheres in Otranto. These are placed in various areas in the city in memory of various canon attacks made by the Saracens.
What to Do in Otranto
Some more ideas to make your holiday as interesting and enjoyable as possible.
Don’t Miss
Finally, here are a few things that you shouldn’t forget to add to your list of things to do – and wat – in Otranto.
To enjoy an incredible view overlooking the Baia dell’Orte and the lighthouse, head to Punta Palascìa – also known as Capo d’Otranto. This is the most easterly point in all of Italy. Inside the lighthouse is a multimedia museum about the sea which lets visitors learn about the marine flora and fauna of the area.
This tower on the edge of the sea seems to rise up on its own. For centuries it has dominated the wide valley and inlet between Porto Badisco and Punta Palascìa. Visit to enjoy a breathtaking panorama. Close by is the Marmitta dei Giganti, natural rock erosions caused by water that seem to be natural basins.
Barley soup with seafood and rockfish. Spaghetti con le vongole. Parmigiana di melanzana. A lunch with a good glass of local white or rosé wine from Salento with a sea view will satisfy all your senses.
Punta Palascìa’s position means you can see the first dawn of the year. Therefore, during New Year’s Eve, many people gather here to watch the first sunrise in Italy of the new year.
Getting Around in Puglia
To help organise your holiday in Puglia, use our map that lets you easily see where to visit.