CATTEDRALE SANTA MARIA ANNUNZIATA

Built by the Normans in the 11th century, the cathedral of Otranto, dedicated to the Virgin of the Annunciation, is a real marvel. Its relatively sober facade contrasts with its interior, which contains fabulous treasures. One cannot remain insensitive in front of the mosaics which decorate its floor. Executed between 1163 and 1165, they have always fascinated by the imagination developed in their scenes. They are populated by a profusion of fantastic characters whose symbolism sometimes escapes the gaze of modern man. In the centre, in the axis of the central nave, a large "tree of life" rises towards the heavens to the scenes of original sin and Adam and Eve driven out of the Garden of Eden. Below, twelve circles depict the twelve months of the year with their zodiacal sign and the corresponding agricultural activity. Then episodes from Genesis, Noah's ark and the tower of Babel intervene. Finally, around the base of the tree of life, the ground is populated by a fantastic bestiary composed of hybrid animals, centaurs, mythological figures (we recognize the Roman goddess Diana hunting a deer) and even Alexander the Great carried by two griffins. In the crossing of the transept, sixteen circles represent vices and virtues, symbolized by other fantastic figures. In the left arm of the transept, a mosaic of the Last Judgement separates paradise from hell, where the damned are swallowed up by monsters. Finally, in the apse are represented episodes from the Book of Jonah.

Another singularity that makes this cathedral an extraordinary place is the 800 skulls of the martyrs of Otranto. In 1480, the Turks sacked the city and, in order to frighten the rebels who refused to convert to Islam, cut off the heads of 800 of them. The stone where the blood was shed is preserved, as are the skulls in the right wing of the cathedral (in the Martyrs' Chapel), moving testimonies to the Turkish massacre. Legend has it that the Madonna who watches over these martyrs was stolen by an Arab. Shortly afterwards his wife became pregnant, a miracle that he attributed to Our Lady. So, out of gratitude, he brought her home to Otranto from Arabia.

The crypt of the cathedral (on the right, when looking at the altar) has columns and capitals all different. They are gifts from all the lords and merchants of the Mediterranean who stayed in Otranto and brought a different type of marble to the city.