Otranto
Otranto (UK: /ɒˈtræntoʊ/, US: /oʊˈtrɑːntoʊ/, Italian: [ˈɔːtranto]; Salentino: Oṭṛàntu; Griko: Δερεντό, romanized: Derentò; Ancient Greek: Ὑδροῦς, romanized: Hudroûs; Latin: Hydruntum) is a coastal town, port and comune in the province of Lecce (Apulia, Italy), in a fertile region once famous for its breed of horses. It is one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia ("The most beautiful villages of Italy").
Otranto
| |
|---|---|
| Comune di Otranto | |
Otranto seen from the castle | |
|
Coat of arms | |
Location of Otranto | |
Otranto Location of Otranto in Italy Otranto Otranto (Apulia) | |
| Coordinates: 40°09′N 18°29′E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Province | Lecce (LE) |
| Frazioni | Porto Badisco, Conca Spellucchia |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Pierpaolo Cariddi |
| Area | |
| • Total | 77.2 km2 (29.8 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 15 m (49 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2017) | |
| • Total | 5,800 |
| • Density | 75/km2 (190/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Idruntini or Otrantini |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 73028 |
| Dialing code | 0836 |
| Patron saint | Blessed Otrantine Martyrs |
| Saint day | August 14 |
| Website | Official website |
It is located on the east coast of the Salento peninsula. The Strait of Otranto, to which the city gives its name, connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea and separates Italy from Albania. The harbour is small and has little trade.
The lighthouse Faro della Palascìa, at approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) southeast of Otranto, marks the most easterly point of the Italian mainland.
About 50 kilometres (31 mi) south lies the promontory of Santa Maria di Leuca (so called since ancient times from its white cliffs, leukos being Greek for white), the southeastern extremity of Italy, the ancient Promontorium Iapygium or Sallentinum. The district between this promontory and Otranto is thickly populated and very fertile.
The area that lies between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca is part of the Regional Natural Coastal Park of "Costa Otranto - Santa Maria di Leuca e Bosco di Tricase" wanted by the Apulia Region in 2008. This territory has numerous natural and historical attractions such as Ciolo, which is a rocky cove.