Walls and Bastions

The fortifications surrounding Otranto are well-preserved and bear the marks of a centuries-old history, rich with crucial events such as the city's capture by the Turks in 1480.\n\nFrom Porta Terra, the oldest entrance to the old town, the sea envelops the grand system of walls where the bastions open, reworked over the centuries by celebrated architects such as Francesco di Giorgio Martini.\n\nArt treasures adorn the suggestive route, such as the Monument to the Martyrs of Otranto by Antonio Bortone. One of the best spots to admire the panorama is the Bastion of the Pelasgians, from which you can see the harbor, a meeting point and realm of nightlife, especially during the summer.\n\nMany venues have emerged along the path of the Otranto walls, where you can savor exquisite fish-based dishes and traditional recipes.