13-15 September 2023 - Otranto



We’ve spent a few lazy days at anchor in the outer harbour of Taranto. Each day we have gone ashore in the tender and explored different aspects of the city. It is a wonderful mixture of old and new, contemporary and ancient, with modern tourism co-existing with the ancient walled city. It was a city even in Greek times, and like so many other places in this part of the world, it has changed hands many times. It was important for the Romans as the most southerly port on the Adriatic, but now sees very little commercial shipping. There is a small commercial fishing fleet and an armada of small pleasure boats, many of which are also used for fishing.


The castle is imposing, but we passed on the opportunity to go inside as it was being used a for a fashion shoot at the time, and appeared that this would limit where we could go. Maybe when we return.


We visited the cathedral, which is quite magnificent.  The floor is covered with elaborate mosaics, depicting animals and saints.  The ceiling is also quite spectacular and unusually the area around the alter is quite plain and simple. Down some stairs, there is a separate chapel which seems to be used for daily services. This has a series of frescos adorning the walls.






The outside of the Cathedral

We found another smaller church also with frescos covering the walls. 




Miles today            0

Miles in 2023      851

Steve (and Tricia) 

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