It is the easternmost town in Italy, a beautiful town overlooking a sea of unforgettable colors. What city are we talking about? But of Otranto, of course. Cultural Heritage of Unesco, it is part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy and absolutely deserves to be visited. And, if that weren't enough, it boasts an excellent cuisine made up of recipes in which the sea and the land are cleverly combined for truly unique culinary experiences.
To visit the city, it is advisable to start from the Porta di Terra: starting from here you will soon find yourself walking through a labyrinth of narrow streets and alleys paved with stone.
Reaching Corso Garibaldi, you will immediately get in touch with the commercial liveliness of the city: small shops, clubs and artisan workshops open until late in the evening offer local handicrafts and souvenirs.
Taking via Castello, you then come to the Aragonese Castle, the ancient military fortress which today is one of the most representative symbols of the city. The castle is accessed via a bridge that crosses the deep moat. Once in the internal courtyard you can admire the Triangular Room with a suggestive vaulted roof. Do not miss to visit the chapel with its valuable frescoes. Particularly suggestive are the undergrounds with a dense intrigue of tunnels and galleries of considerable historical value.
Taking via Castello, you then come to the Aragonese Castle, the ancient military fortress which today is one of the most representative symbols of the city. The castle is accessed via a bridge that crosses the deep moat. Once in the internal courtyard you can admire the Triangular Room with a suggestive vaulted roof. Do not miss to visit the chapel with its valuable frescoes. Particularly suggestive are the undergrounds with a dense intrigue of tunnels and galleries of considerable historical value. From the Castle you reach the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata, of immense artistic and historical value. The baroque portal and the Renaissance rose window are beautiful. The interior preserves a true masterpiece: the large mosaic that traces the human experience from original sin to salvation. This mosaic, the only mosaic floor from the Norman era that has remained intact, is considered an encyclopedia of Christianity. Do not miss the Chapel of the Martyrs which preserves the remains of the eight hundred inhabitants of Otranto massacred and beheaded by the Turks in 1480 for not having renounced the Christian faith.
From the Cathedral it will be very pleasant to finally reach the port and stroll looking at the sea illuminated by the last rays of the sun. A good dinner is the ideal end of our city tour. The gastronomy is of ancient tradition, the raw materials are very fresh and the fish is excellent. Try the typical local fish soup or linguine with cuttlefish and fried crumb but don't forget to order an excellent Salento wine.
