Bay of Otranto

OTRANTO

Situated near to Lecce, along a marvellous Adriatic coastal track of crystal clear water, is where one can visit Otranto, today a tourist centre which preserves artistic and architectural gems.

Its name and history are connected to water: The Romans called it Hydruntum for the presence of the River Hydrus. But it definitely had a prior history.
The territory was already inhabited during the Neolithic period (Cervi Caves) as testified by megalithic monuments scattered around the City.
Legend instead mentions the mythical hero of Troy, Idomeneo. A true starting point could be that of the arrival of the Cretan or Mycenaean sailors, who poured in along the coasts of Southern Italy at the beginning of the I Millennium BC.
It passed to the Romans after the wars with Pirro (275 BC), and became a commune in 165 BC, enhancing its development and fortune by becoming an important commercial port along the route which linked the Eastern provinces of the Empire. Its importance was recognised by Rome when it was given rights to mint its own currency (162 AD).
After the scourge of Barbaric invasions by the Visigoths (411) and Vandals (455) and Ostrogoth domination (496-535), Otranto and the entire region passed to the Byzantines (553), after the Greek-Gothic Wars.
In 757 it was conquered by the Longobards, but their domination in the South of Puglia was short lived and it soon returned to Byzantine power.
The Saracens besieged the City in 845 after having taken Brindisi (838) and Taranto (840).
Following this, Otranto became the last bulwark of Constantinople Imperial power and ceded to Norman power, who conquered the City only during 1070 with Roberto Guiscard. The Normans had the new City-wall built.
Further fortified during the 13th Century by Admiral Ruggero of Lauria, it was then conquered in 1348 by Louis I the Great, King of Hungry, Angioino.
With the Aragonese ascent to the throne of Naples, Otranto also passed to the Spanish under Ferdinando I of Aragona.
In 1480, it was besieged for two weeks by a Turkish fleet, commanded by Ahmet Pasha. The population did not want to surrender, even after the Turks entered the City and were therefore almost all completely massacred. Only women and children were saved and the San Nicola of Casole Abbey was burnt along with its immense library.
On 10th September 1481, Aragonese troops reclaimed the City and under their successor, Emperor Carlo Vth of Hapsburg, the City was once against fortified and its Castle modified. The Turks tried new attacks for more than a century, but were always fended off (1614-1644).
For a few years Otranto also belonged to Venice (1496-1504).
Reconstruction and the wounds of the Turkish invasion, left a mark on the City, which was unable to free itself for centuries: there was economic depression during the 17th and 18th Centuries, the later period seeing the rise of Bourbon power.
The Republican experience, due to the decline of Bonaparte in Italy (1799) and the subsequent birth of the Republic of Naples (1806), though of brief duration, took merit in allowing patriotic ideals to germinate which resulted in the motions of 1821 and 1848; a maximum manifestation in which the City of Otranto actively participated.
In 1861, Otranto passed over to the Reign of Italy, commanded by the Savoia Family.
A visit to the City can begin with the touristic seafront area, from which one can enter the old suburb through a portal, and where it is possible to dine whilst enjoying a panoramic view over the bay.
One will come across the Cathedral (1080-1088) almost immediately, which guards mosaic flooring (1163-1165) in its interior, depicting the tree of life, a work by the a monk named Pantaleone.
Other jewels in Otranto are the Byzantine Church of Saint Peter, dating back to the 9thCentury and which preserves precious frescoes.
We recommend a visit to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit or the Madonna of Altomare, and the Sanctuary of S. Maria of the Martyrs, erected where 800 citizens of Otranto were decapitated by the Turks in 1480.
A walk uphill will take visitors to the powerful Castle, built on the wishes of Federick II of Swabia in 1226 and subsequently modified by the Aragonese (15th Century) and Emperor Carlo Vth (16th Century).

OTRANTO
Art City

Puglia (Apulia) region of Italy
Otranto
RUINS

Castle - Otranto
CASTLE

Cathedral - Otranto
CATHEDRAL
 

City Guide
art profile

Travel in Otranto
Otranto hotels
 

Art Cities in Apulia
Bari
Andria
Barletta
Brindisi
Foggia
Lecce
Taranto
Trani
More Art Cities in Apulia
Acaya
Alberobello
Alezio
Altamura
Ascoli Satriano
Bisceglie
Bitonto
Bovino
Calimera
Canosa
Casarano
Castel del Monte
Castellaneta
Ceglie Messapica
Cerignola
Cisternino
Conversano
Copertino
Cutrofiano
Francavilla Fontana

Galatina
Gallipoli
Gioia del Colle
Giovinazzo
Gravina
Grottaglie
Isole Tremiti
Locorotondo
Lucera
Maglie
Manduria
Manfredonia
Martano
Martina Franca
Massafra
Melendugno
Melpignano
Mesagne
Modugno
Molfetta
Monopoli
Monte Sant'Angelo
Nardò
Ostuni
Otranto
Parabita
Peschici
Poggiardo
Polignano a Mare
Putignano
Ruvo di Puglia
San Ferdinando di Puglia
San Vito dei Normanni
San Severo
Specchia
Terlizzi
Tricase
Troia
Ugento
Vico del Gargano
Vieste
Archaeological Sites
Egnazia
Ordona (Herdonia)
Oria
Siponto

In Italy Today
Italy Guides:
> Art Cities
> Full List
> Italy Regions
Exhibitions Events
Hotels B&Bs
 


ART TRAVEL LINK - SELECTED WEB SITES

ILS Italian Language School and Courses - Otranto ILS Italian Language School and Courses - www.ilsonline.it
Italian Language School and Courses in Otranto within walking distance of the beach. The school has many years' experience in teaching Italian to foreigners...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 


Vuoi inserire un LINK?
Hai un HOTEL o un'altra attività legata al TURISMO IN ITALIA?

Promuovilo nella pagina della tua città dentro IN ITALY TODAY!
OFFERTE PROMOZIONALI PER I PRIMI LINK

Art Travel directory

SUGGEST AN ART/TRAVEL-SITE

 

In Italy Today loves art

© IN ITALY HOTELS NETWORK