Otranto's castle and the narrow streets of the old town

Otranto's Cathedral (consecrated in 1088) has a fine rose window; an extensive 12th-Century mosaic floor; a gilded wooden ceiling; and has a Chapel of the Martyrs (above) that contains (in seven large glass-fronted recesses) the bones of the 800 Otranto citizens slaughtered and beheaded by the Ottomans in 1480

The mosaic covers the nave, the aisles, the presbytery and the apse. The scenes include episode from the Old Testament, medieval literature, and the life of Alexander. The images are placed alongside the Tree of Life

Our next objective is the Basilica di San Pietro which is famous for its many fine Byzantine frescoes. The door to this small, square, unremarkable-looking building, is locked but a key is brought to enable a tour group and a party of schoolchildren to enter. Despite the ensuing crowded interior, we are able to get good views of the remarkable frescoes

The oldest paintings depict the Washing of the Feet and The Last Supper. The Nativity, and the Resurrection are attributable to the fourteenth century, whilst the figures of saints are attributable to the last part of the sixteenth century.

On the way back to Lecce we stop off at San Catalado and walk alongside the beach (right). This evening, the centre of Lecce is given over to a street market that is mainly selling food. It attracts a large crowd and there is much bell ringing from the local churches followed by the sounds of music and singing. It is not clear whether this is a typical Friday celebration or is due to the fact that Monday, June 2nd, is Italy's Republic Day. In any case it makes a pleasant start to our evening's Anniversary celebration - a meal at the Osteria della Divina Provvidenza