A quick look at Otranto so you can see this cathedral

We took our little bus to Otranto today – population 5700. Somehow most of the pictures from my day have a haze on them – I’m struggling with continuing camera problems. (Also possible: continuing camera operator problems)

Here’s Otranto (pictures not mine):

Aside from the above obvious charm, Otranto has the Cathedral di Santa Maria Annunziata, from about 1088. Inside the cathedral are some of the most beautiful mosaics I have ever seen. The whole interior floor is a series of mosaics, telling Old Testament stories with an entire tree of life. There is also Hercules, King Arthur, a random dog wearing booties and more more more. The mosaics cover about 6500 square feet.

The floor dates from 1163 and, in typical European fashion, we were allowed to just walk around the cathedral on it. Here are two from above (not mine):

Here is the dog in boots (only two needed apparently, not four):

The Tower of Babel:

And here is my favorite part: the depiction of hell. Look at all the suffering…it reminded me of the hell at Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. These scenes were truly meant to encourage morality. Notice the guy to the right of the woman being swarmed and suffocated by snakes – he seems to be vomiting up an endless snake body.

Time to pack up here. Tomorrow we move to Martina Franca for 4 nights. Here’s two more shots from Otranto:

5 thoughts on “A quick look at Otranto so you can see this cathedral”

  1. Gosh, what a lovely little village. Those mosaics are amazing and even in photos some of the best I’ve seen, too. I love the Tower of Babel and the “Dog in Boots” the most! What a treat. Enjoying the tour and your companions?

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    1. That really was a gorgeous little village – And it’s not even the one I was so excited about – that’s tomorrow! Yes the tour is great. And we’ve enjoyed all 3 Road Scholar tour groups we’ve traveled with in the last year – fun people, easygoing, eager to learn, listen and look around!!!!!

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    1. We like her. She gives just the right amount of info, she knows her stuff, and she’s totally professional. She does not cross that line between guide and buddy like some guides do…which some people like and some don’t. We get a new guide tomorrow for the second half of the trip.

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