OTRANTO AND ITS HINTERLAND

- OTRANTO

Coming from the road that runs along the beautiful Idro Valley it is possible to visit the Medieval settlement situated on the promontory that is fortified by the Aragonese walls and the Castle. In the heart of the historic centre is the Romanesque Cathedral with its well-known mosaic as well as the little Byzantine church of S. Pietro with frescoes dating from the 10th century. Through the visit of the several archaeological excavations it is possible to follow the different historic phases of the town from protohistory to the Middle Ages.

- VASTE
In this little but important centre is a particularly interesting central square (Piazza Dante) which contains a 17th century Castle (of which the square was initially a sort of a courtyard) and a little baroque church. However, the archaeological remains have a considerable historic importance: not far from the square are the ruins of an area of the Messapian settlement; other archaeological remains are situated outside the centre (necropoli, walls) where it is possible to visit the ruins of an early Christian basilica (recently excavated) and the Crypt of SS. Stefani with Byzantine frescoes of the 13th-14th centuries.

- MURO LECCESE
The site is named after the Messapian fortification whose walls have always been partly visible. Recent excavations have brought to light the pincer-like gate and have better outlined the structure. The visit of the small town can continue with the little Byzantine church of S. Marina and its very important frescoes, as well as with the 18th century church of Mary Immaculate that has a splendid baroque faÁade.