The Italian peninsula extends from the Alps to the Strait of Messina and, along this long journey, it is interesting to understand which are the most extreme geographical points. If the westernmost point of Italy is located in Piedmont, in Bardonecchia, the easternmost point of Italy is located not far from Otranto. Punta Palascia or Capo d’Otranto is the easternmost place in Italy being only 71 kilometers from the Albanian coast.
What’s in Punta Palascia?
One of the typical buildings of Punta Palascia is his big lighthouse. This was built in 1867 and subsequently abandoned in the 1970s. High well 32 metershouses a large lantern at the top, whose light is visible from approximately 21 nautical miles.
After being abandoned for a long time, it was renovated and protected at European level: today it houses a multimedia museum of the sea. Punta Palascia is also a highly appreciated place for see the sunrise and, in particular, New Year’s Eve, when many people wait for it on the cliffs.
Otranto: the easternmost city in Italy
By extension, therefore, it appears that Otranto is the easternmost city in Italy and Lecce is the easternmost province in Italy. The white city in addition to boasting this small geographical peculiarity, it is also beautiful to look at. Its location has made Otranto a melting pot of cultures and a privileged witness to numerous historical events.
Among the things to see in Otranto it is worth mentioning majestic Cathedralwith its famous mosaic floor and Aragonese castle, symbol of power and defense. Walking through the narrow alleys, you can breathe a timeless atmosphere until you reach the Waterfront of Heroeswhere you can walk at sunset or sit and watch the sea.
How to get to Punta Palascia
Reach Punta Palascia it’s quite simple. To get there, you can opt for different modes of transport:
- If you travel by carfrom Otranto you can take the SP87 south until you find the deviation for the lighthouse.
- By bus: line 105 connects the center of Otranto to the lighthouse area. You will then have to continue for a short distance on foot.
Typical dishes of the area: what to eat?
After a short visit to the lighthouse, you can return to Otranto to taste the typical local dishes, mainly based on fish. Worth tasting, in particular, is the Salento puccia, which is a type of stuffed sandwich, the frisa (a type of frisella) and the pittule, which are small balls of flour, water and salt that are fried.
Everything should be accompanied by an excellent Negroamaro d’Otranto and, to conclude the meal, taste an excellent classic pasticciotto, filled with cream and black cherry.
What’s around Punta Palascia
There surrounding area Punta Palascia it deserves to be visited as it boasts various historical and naturalistic attractions. In particular, a few kilometers inland there is the famous Bauxite quarrya small lake surrounded by bright red rocks.
Further north, then, is the famous Bay of the Turks, renowned for its crystal clear waters. Finally, going down towards Salento, you will find some of the most beautiful villages in the area, where the baroque architecture integrates perfectly among the white streets.
Living in Otranto
Otranto is a place to be admired at all hours and in all seasons. Its temperate climate and proximity to the sea make it the perfect place to decide to move to spend your holidays. With idealista you will be able to discover all the secrets of this beautiful village and choose the house that best suits your interests:
