Situated on the Adriatic coast of Salento, Otranto is one of the most charming towns in Puglia, a town nestled between the sea, history and millennia-old cultures. Known as the \u201cGateway to the East\u201d, it is the easternmost point of Italy and has for centuries served as a natural bridge between the West and the East. Enclosed by ancient defensive walls and dominated by the majestic Aragonese Castle, Otranto captivates visitors with its historic centre of white-washed alleyways, views of the Adriatic Sea and reminders of an extraordinary past. From the famous Cathedral with its floor mosaic of Saint Pantaleon to the Caribbean-like beaches of Baia dei Turchi, and from the tales of the Martyrs of Otranto to the timeless atmosphere of the harbour, the town offers a journey through art, faith, nature and Mediterranean traditions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Discover Otranto, Italy\u2019s easternmost town: the Aragonese castle, the cathedral with its mosaic of the Martyrs, crystal-clear seas, the beaches of Salento and a history spanning millennia, bridging East and West.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":312993,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"the-village":"
The town of Otranto is one of the most fascinating and historically rich places in Salento,<\/strong><\/a> a town poised between East and West where the sea, culture and ancient history have been intertwined for centuries. Nestled on the Adriatic coast of Puglia, Otranto is known as the \u201cGateway to the East\u201d<\/strong><\/em>, because it is here that Italy\u2019s easternmost point lies, at Punta Palasc\u00eca, where the sun first illuminates the Italian peninsula and where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas seem to meet.<\/p>\n Strolling through the historic centre means traversing centuries of history. The old town, enclosed by defensive walls and accessible through the monumental Porta Alfonsina<\/strong>, still retains the atmosphere of fortified Mediterranean towns: a maze of white alleyways, stone arches, stairways, hidden courtyards and terraces overlooking the sea. Here, every corner tells the story of the passage of different peoples \u2013 the Messapians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans and Aragonese \u2013 who over the centuries have left a profound mark on the city\u2019s art, culture and architecture.<\/p>\n Dominating the town is the majestic Aragonese Castle<\/strong><\/a>, built by the Aragonese at the end of the 15th century to defend the town from invasions by sea. Its imposing cylindrical towers, moat and walls bear witness to Otranto\u2019s military past, whilst today the interior spaces host exhibitions and cultural events that bring the heart of the town to life.<\/p>\n