Otranto is a port town on the Adriatic coast in the province of Lecce, Puglia region, southern Italy. It is an ideal destination for a day trip. Blue sea, white sand, ancient houses and rocky cliffs make Otranto stand out as one of the notable tourist destinations in Puglia.

In this town located at the “heel of the boot” of Italy, on clear days visitors can admire the strait stretching from Otranto all the way to Albania.

The name Otranto is known to many people through the novel “The Castle of Otranto” by writer Horace Walpole. And indeed, the ghostly castle of writer Walpole also has a little similarity with the stone fortress in Otranto.

Town of ancient architecture

Otranto has a turbulent history. It was an important port for the Greeks and then the Romans. It has also been visited by Romans, Vikings and Aragonese. In 1480, the Turks captured the town and executed 800 civilians for refusing to convert to Islam. The bones of the Otranto people who died are displayed in glass cases in the main sanctuary of the Otranto Cathedral.

The Romanesque Cathedral of Otranto (open 7am – 8pm) is a massive structure designed by a monk named Pantaleone. The ceiling frescoes not only depict biblical stories, but also historical events, myths and even pagan figures such as Alexander the Great and King Arthur. Next to the Otranto Cathedral is the Diocesano Museum, which displays artifacts from the war that left this port town from the early 5th century.

Deep within the streets leading into the town's old town is the Romanesque church of San Pietro, a historic building with numerous frescoes depicting Roman victories.

The Aragonese Castle, the inspiration for Horace Walpole's “The Castle of Otrato”, is a massive structure that helped to strengthen the defenses of Otranto. The Aragonese Castle was built in the 15th century on the site of Frederick II's fortress. Admission is free and occasionally hosts exhibitions.

The town centre is surrounded by a wall that bears traces of history. The busiest street in town is home to souvenir shops (ceramics, shoes, etc.), restaurants and bars. Summer nights in Otranto bring a lively atmosphere. Visitors can stroll along the walls by the sea, where there are bustling bars with views of the port and the bay at night.

Beaches in Otranto

The beaches in the old town of Otranto are actually very small and very crowded in early summer. The beaches outside the town of Otranto are where the locals go.

North of Otranto are the white sandy beaches of Turchi Bay and Alimini Lake. Tourist villages have been built since the late 20th century, gradually turning the area into a bustling resort.

Another attractive destination south of Otranto is the port of Badisco, a small bay with rugged cliffs.

The easiest way to get to these beaches is by car. In summer, the town has buses to these spots.

Lam Quoc Hung