OtrantoHotels Otranto
Restaurants Typical Products
Otranto, also called the "Door to the East", is located on the southern part
of the Adriatic Sea, on the easternmost point of Italy, facing out upon the
straits which have taken its name, the Channel of Otranto. The ancient capital
of the Otranto territory, which encompasses the present day provinces of Lecce,
Brindisi and Taranto, it preserves even today the characteristic appearance of
the ancient commercial cities which overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. Evidence
of the various peoples who passed through here in transit has lent this ancient
fishing village a special charm. Considered the jewel of the Mediterranean, in
the year 1480, Otranto was besieged by the Turks who carried out a massacre,
beheading 800 inhabitants.
The medieval nucleus of Otranto may be reached through the Porta Alfonsina, a
gate built at the same time as the castle, in 1485, by Ferdinando of Aragona.
The jewel of the city is its Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of the
Annunciation, which contains the bones of martyrs. Its mosaic floor, rich in
various scenes, is the work of Pantaleone and still bears the sign of the Turks’
passage into the church on horseback. Climbing the hill named "Colle della
Minerva", located just outside the city walls, one reaches a small chapel
erected on the site where the martyrs were beheaded, and, finally, there is the
Church of S. Francesco di Pola, constructed by Alfonso of Aragona in
commemoration of the slaughter. The whole of Otranto's historical centre is full
of corners opening up upon small squares and interesting little niches, in an
intersection of lanes and shops always brimming with life.
Otranto accommodation in Hotel Farm House Farm Holiday Bed&Breakfast Camping Holiday Home Rooms for rent Residence Tourist Village Camp site.
Otranto holiday in Hotel
Restaurants Typical Products
Otranto, also called the "Door to the East", is located on the southern part of the Adriatic Sea, on the easternmost point of Italy, facing out upon the straits which have taken its name, the Channel of Otranto. The ancient capital of the Otranto territory, which encompasses the present day provinces of Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto, it preserves even today the characteristic appearance of the ancient commercial cities which overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. Evidence of the various peoples who passed through here in transit has lent this ancient fishing village a special charm. Considered the jewel of the Mediterranean, in the year 1480, Otranto was besieged by the Turks who carried out a massacre, beheading 800 inhabitants.
The medieval nucleus of Otranto may be reached through the Porta Alfonsina, a gate built at the same time as the castle, in 1485, by Ferdinando of Aragona. The jewel of the city is its Cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady of the Annunciation, which contains the bones of martyrs. Its mosaic floor, rich in various scenes, is the work of Pantaleone and still bears the sign of the Turks’ passage into the church on horseback. Climbing the hill named "Colle della Minerva", located just outside the city walls, one reaches a small chapel erected on the site where the martyrs were beheaded, and, finally, there is the Church of S. Francesco di Pola, constructed by Alfonso of Aragona in commemoration of the slaughter. The whole of Otranto's historical centre is full of corners opening up upon small squares and interesting little niches, in an intersection of lanes and shops always brimming with life.
Otranto accommodation in Hotel Farm House Farm Holiday Bed&Breakfast Camping Holiday Home Rooms for rent Residence Tourist Village Camp site.
Otranto holiday in Hotel
Lecce and environsGallipoli
Hotels Gallipoli
Residences - Flats - Holiday Houses Gallipoli
Campings - Tourist Villages Gallipoli
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Business and Typical Products Gallipoli
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Leuca - Santa Maria di Leuca
Hotels Leuca - Santa Maria di Leuca
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