Otranto, Apulia, Italy

Otranto, Apulia Italy

Despite the extensive development of buildings, Otranto maintains a nearly untouched historical center, which radiates in all its glory, safeguarded by the fortifications that overlook the southern shore of the natural harbor. The natural entrance to the historical center is the Alfonsina Gate, named in honor of Alfonso, Duke of Calabria, who freed the city from Turkish rule. A series of narrow streets lead us to the Otranto Cathedral, a gem of Romanesque-Pugliese architecture, constructed in 1080-88 and also known as the Cathedral of the Annunciation. The gabled facade is dominated by a 15th-century Gothic-Arab style rosette and a Baroque portal from 1764. Its austere interior, with three aisles, is adorned with a 17th-century gilded wood ceiling and 14 granite columns. In the Chapel of the Martyrs, to the right of the main altar, the bones of the victims of the Turkish massacre are preserved. The masterpiece, however, is a stunning mosaic on the floor, created in vibrant colors by the priest Pantaleone (1163-1166), depicting scenes from the Bible and medieval epic cycles. Beneath the apse is the expansive crypt, supported by a forest of columns with capitals from different periods and Byzantine frescoes. Near the cathedral, we find the Diocesan Museum, which displays a collection of textiles and liturgical objects, statues, and paintings belonging to the church, including a 15th-century baptismal font. We can also observe interesting fragments of a late-Roman mosaic found under the muscled pavement. The main street of the village is Garibaldi Street, lively and bustling, which ascends towards the town square, or People's Square, with the Clock Tower dating from 1779. From here you reach St. Peter's, a Byzantine church that dates back to the 10th-11th century, and was for many years the site of Greek worship. The exterior appears austere; in contrast, the interior is a Greek cross plan, set within a square, and highly decorated. Defined by three small aisles supported by eight columns, the church's walls and vaults are covered with frescoes depicting biblical scenes. The barrel vault of the northwest aisle is adorned with the "Last Supper" and the "Washing of the Feet".
Recommended airport
Casale (BDS)
Points of interest
Nearby destinations
  • Ugento a 37.49 km
  • Gallipoli a 43.68 km
  • Lecce a 35.03 km

Our ideas

See all ideas

FLY & DRIVE: Puglia

10 Destinations 5 Nights
Holidays package
FLY & DRIVE: Puglia
From 437 € Per person
See
Destinations: Bari, Trani, Andria, Bari, Lecce, Otranto, Apulia, Bari, Martina Franca, Puglia, Alberobello, Bari, Polignano a Mare, Apulia, Monopoli, Italy, Bari

The Gargano, the Trulli and Matera

12 Destinations 1 Transports 6 Nights
Holidays package
The Gargano, the Trulli and Matera
From 398 € Per person
See
Destinations: Gargano, Vieste, Apulia, Gargano, Peschici, Trani, Barletta, Monopoli, Italy, Alberobello, Puglia, Alberobello, Lecce, Otranto, Apulia, Matera, Bari

TOUR PUGLIA 2025/2026 – 8 GIORNI/7 NOTTI – SABATO/SABATO

12 Destinations 7 Nights
Holidays package
TOUR PUGLIA 2025/2026 – 8 GIORNI/7 NOTTI – SABATO/SABATO
From 1.290 € Per person
See
Destinations: Bari, Trani, San Giovanni Rotondo, Monte Sant' Angelo, Gargano, Vieste, Apulia, Barletta, Alberobello, Puglia, Lecce, Otranto, Apulia, Matera, Bari