Otranto

 

On the coast, about 38 km south of the town of Bari is Otranto. At one this this city was the next in importance to Brindisi in terms of Rome's trade with the east.

We found it to be interesting and the night life in the old section of town means there is always a restaurant available. In the old section there are connecting small allays to walk with numerous stores and restaurants.

The Cathedral dates from 1088. After the fall of the Byzantium around 1480 the town was sacked by a joint Turkish and Venetian Fleet. The Turks were a little more violent as they slaughtered the Christians. The bones of the 560 Christians slaughtered were placed behind glass along the walls in the Chapel of the Martyrs. As you stand in the chapel, there is glassed in cases that rise to the ceiling are sculs, arms, rib cages etc.

The church also has an impressive mosaic floor that dates back to 1165. What seemed odd is looking at this detailed mosaic floor that is hundreds of years old, and three are chairs with wooden legs all over the place being moved across the floor like it was cheap tile. Walking on the floor is like walking across a stone tapestry.

The historic centre has small winding streets - pedestrian only. With mainly white-washed buildings the town has a feeling of Greece. This is no sleepy little town. The stores are open well past 10 at night. One restaurant, is obviously the place to eart, and after an half-hour wait we do get a table and have just an incredible piazza.