Torre del Serpente
Just outside the harbour: a tower of Roman origin that became the symbol of Otranto. The South tour starts here.
At a glance
- Symbol of Otranto (city’s coat of arms)
- Legend of the snake and the lamp
- First South tour stop
- View over the Otranto Channel
Also known as Torre dell’Idro, but everyone calls it Torre del Serpe — “Snake Tower” — after a legend: a snake climbed up every night to drink the oil from its lamp, until the townsfolk killed it. It’s the same snake coiled around the tower on the city’s coat of arms.
Restored in medieval times (under Frederick II, 13th century), it marks the start of the coast climbing towards Capo d’Otranto, where the Channel opens ahead of you.
On a clear day you can make out Albania across the Channel, about 70 km away.
Location on the route
Approximate offshore route
More stops on the SOUTH tour
A few stops on the SOUTH tour — swipe for more or open the full list.
SOUTHGrotta Palombara
Just after Torre del Serpente you skirt the cliff to Grotta Palombara’s entrance — the second stop on the South tour.
SOUTHBaia dell'Orte
Bay between Punta Facì and Punta Palascia, about 4 km from the harbour: red bauxite earth, green scrub and sea that often turns emerald here. The name "Orte" comes from "where the sun rises," for its easterly position.
SOUTHPunta Palascìa lighthouse
Capo d’Otranto: mainland Italy’s easternmost point and the narrowest stretch of the Otranto Channel. Palascia lighthouse, built in 1867 and reopened to the public in 2008 after years of neglect, now also houses a small sea museum.
