Italy: Otranto

We spent just one night in Otranto, another pretty coastal town with a small port on the Adriatic Sea. On a clear day, they say you can see all the way to Albania (which we did see from the train - see photo below). We arrived to sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s Fahrenheit. It was a lovely welcome.

In addition to the port, there is a castle, city walls, and an 11th-century cathedral with an extraordinary 13th-century Tree of Life mosaic that covers the entire floor of the nave, sanctuary, and apse with Biblical Scenes, Alexander the Great, and more.

After three nights in Monopoli, we feel like regulars at Pepe Nero Caffé. On our way to the train station, we indulge in cappuccinos and pastries, with the pasticciotti (1st below, top & 2nd below), a traditional Apulian sweet pastry, being our favorite.




View East about 35 miles to the Ceraunian Mountains of Albania while on the Train from Monopoli to Otranto.


At Maglie we switched trains to a "railcar", a self-propelled coach with a driver's cab at both ends. The ones in Apulia are NOT new. ;-)


Arriving at Otranto Station.


The Cathedral (1st below) and its mosaic floor were amazing. First we looked around down in the Crypt (2nd below).




Tree of Life mosaic with Alexander the Great (1st below)








Ossuaries Behind the Altar


View from our Hotel in Otranto.


The Beach and Promenade




Castle and Yacht Basin




Yacht Basin




Fishermen.






We walked abou 2km south along the coast to the Torre del Serpe (Serpent Tower).