Day trip to Otranto, Friday September 25th
Otranto is a small town located on the east coast of the Salento peninsula, 35 Km south-east of Lecce.
The Strait of Otranto, to which the city gives its name, connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and Italy with Albania.
Otranto occupies the site of the ancient Hydrus or Hydruntum, a town of Greek origin, which, in the wars of Pyrrhus and of Hannibal sided against Rome.
The Castello Aragonese (Castle) was rebuilt by Alphonso II of Naples in 1485-1498. It has three cylindrical towers and a bastion called Punta di Diamante ("Diamond's Head"). The entrance sports the coat of arms of Emperor Charles V.
The Cathedral was consecrated in 1088, under the rule of Count Roger I, and adorned later (about 1163) by Bishop Jonathas, with an impressive mosaic floor, perfectly preserved, with interesting representations of Old Testament and mythological subjects.
Provisional programme
- 09:00 Bus leaves Hotel Tiziano (meeting point)
- 10:00 Guided tour of Otranto (English speaking guide)
- Cathedral
- Aragonese Castle
- City's walls
- St. Peter Byzantine church
- Seafront promenade
- 12:00 Free time
- 13:30 Bus leaves Otranto
- 14:00 Lunch in a typical "masseria"
- 15:30 Bus leaves the "masseria"
- 15:45 Visit to a traditional hypogean oil mill
- 16:30 Bus leaves to Lecce
- 17:00 Arrives at Hotel Tiziano