Otranto loop

November 18, 2024

Again8Today we started with an early morning walk around town since the ride was short. However, it was full of sights. We saw 2 menhirs, a word that had never seen nor until now, and a dolmen. I will explain in the photos. The highlight was our stop at a forno (bakery) in a tiny village. We were provided with a vegetarian feast with a little cheese of course. No one spoke English so through google translate the proprietor explained the virtues of eating food from the earth, meditating, and exercising and the evils of Coke Zero. He was pretty funny but given his portly state I am not sure that he practiced what he preached. Finding a place to eat tonight was a real challenge being a Monday in November but we did and we had a lovely meal.

A view of the fort this morning.The fort was built between 1485 & 1498 after the Turkish invasion.

The cathedral in Otranto is dedicated to the Virgin Mary with construction starting in 1088. The most amazing parts are the ceramic tile floor and the ceiling.

Only part of the mosaic floor which is the tree of life.

The fortress from another angle including the moat.

Our first stop today was the San Angelo Byzantine crypt along the Idro River. The crypt was once covered in frescoes.

Our first menhir. It is a large upright stone dating back to the Bronze Age. They have a variety of purposes but this one was dedicated to St Paul. There is a small crypt in this one.

Our second menhir stands at a crossroads in a middle age village. It was thought to a gas a way marker not unlike an inukshuk. There was activity on the top in which they would put oil and light it. The first street lamps.

This is a dolmen. It is over 1000 years old and probably was thought to be an altar of sacrifice, hence the location out of the town.

Our tasting stop in the middle of nowhere.

Our vegetation and cheese lunch. The fennel was not eaten by me.

Since the laundromat was so nice I went back today. I couldn’t resist this photo warning to not wash your dog or cat in the machine.

An afternoon view of the bay in Otranto.

I saw these at the grocery store, all you need to celebrate Christmas in Italy. I would bring one home if I had the room.

Orecchiette the pasta of this region with cherry tomatoes, arugula and grated cheese that was not parmesan. It was delicious.

We had this wine with dinner, I am really liking Primitivo wines especially from the Manduria area.

Today's ride: 31 km (19 miles)
Total: 263 km (163 miles)

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