Overview

Described as the “Gateway to the East” and the most eastern of Italy’s cities, Otranto was founded thousands of years ago by Greeks from Crete. Explore this fascinating history through its main attractions. Discover the Otranto Cathedral, consecrated in 1088 and still the largest Romanesque building in Apulia. Admire the mosaic floor, made of thousands of tiles depicting scenes from the Old Testament and figures from Breton legends. Observe the columns believed to come from a Temple of Minerva and the bones and relics of the Martyrs of Otranto, killed during the 15th-century siege. Also admire the 42 marble columns supporting the crypt. Continue to the Church of St. Peter and the Aragonese Castle, reinforced by Frederick II and rebuilt by Alphonso II of Naples between 1485 and 1498, featuring an irregular five-sided plan and a moat surrounding the entire perimeter. Finally, enjoy the panoramic sea views: on clear days you can see the coasts of Greece and Albania across the Adriatic

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