When traveling to the coast of the Adriatic Sea, pay your attention to the old Italian town of Otranto that is famous for its rich history. This small settlement is an ideal destination for a peaceful vacation. Otranto’s gorgeous beaches are perfectly suitable for recreation together with friends and family members. Moreover, Otranto has a rich cultural and historical heritage which is incredibly interesting to familiarize yourself with. A vacation in this Italian town is like a journey to the past. Tourists arriving in the Adriatic coast often mention Otranto as the most interesting, sunny town where the past peacefully coexists with modern life. Initially, Otranto had another name – Hydrus – and was a part of ancient Greece. When the Roman army conquered the settlement, they changed its name to Hydruntum. At that time, this settlement was an important seaport located on the route to the Balkans. In the 11th century, almost all residents of the town were speaking Greek. In 1068, Robert Guiscard captured the settlement. Soon after that, Otranto became a part of the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1480, the Turkish fleet on its way to invade Rome suffered a shipwreck and had to land at the coast near Otranto. On August 11, Mehmet the Conqueror and his army attacked South Italy. This was a tragic event in the history of Otranto. Many people were killed, and many were enslaved. People, who refused to convert to Islam, were executed right away. Alfonso of Aragon succeeded
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