The Cathedral of Otranto in southern Italy is sometimes referred to as the Church of the Skulls of Otranto, and there's a very good reason for that. A total of 800 skulls adorn the walls of this church, and they are called the martyrs of Otranto. This area of Puglia offers beautiful beaches, azure sea and good food, but also a violent history.
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Otranto in southern Italy
Otranto is a town in the province of Lecce in the region of Puglia, in south-eastern Italy. The town is located on the Strait of Otranto and is known, among other things, for horse breeding. In ancient times it was known as Hydruntum.
The violent history of Otranto
On 14 August 1480, the Turks conquered from the Ottoman Empire the town of Otranto. All men over 50 were killed and the women and children were either enslaved or killed as well. The remaining 800 men were given a choice: convert to Islam or die. The men chose death, and in memory of their sacrifice, their skulls are now displayed behind glass in the martyrs' chapel, behind the altar of the church.
Opening hours in Italy
When we arrived, we imagined a rather short visit to the church, and then further travelling. This was not the case! Driving and parking here during high season is associated with a lot of congestion, waiting and honking and when we finally arrived at the church it was 12:15.
We didn't expect the church to be closed between 12:00 and 15:00, but luckily the town is a nice holiday town with bathing cliffs, restaurants and shops. Killing a few hours here is not too difficult!
Cattedrale di Otranto
The Cattedrale di Otranto is worth a visit if you're passing through. The collection of human skulls, bones and bones is a bit macabre, but tells an interesting story. The church also has a beautiful mosaic floor that depicts various scenes from biblical history.
Motorhome parking in Otranto
When we visited Otranto and the Cathedral Church, we stayed at a car park that is centrally located in the town. The site is a 24-hour car park for both cars and camper vans, with security and the possibility to fill up with water. We paid 6 euros for a day and the address is Via Renis.
Another skeleton church
If you find churches with unusual and slightly macabre interiors fascinating, we can also recommend a visit to The skeleton church in Sedlec in Kutna Hora, which we wrote about when we visited the Czech Republic in 2009.
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Rantamor on the retina says:
What a creepy church, who would think of such a thing????
Not that I am a churchy person, God knows, but this was macabre.
I wonder why they used human bones and skulls in this way.
Tjingelingen from Rantamor.
12 August 2015 - 17:36
Åsa says:
Oh, you found it! I was there when I was travelling by train! Was guided around the village (and the church) and invited to lunch by a little lady I met on the train! (:
12 August 2015 - 18:10
admin says:
Rantams, yes very special! Especially the one in the Czech Republic is a bit scary. But also this one in Otranto is very special with the skulls.
Åsa, yep, after some searching! Many thanks for the tip, it was an interesting visit!!! Did you take a train ride all by yourself? How nice with the spontaneous guidance!
12 August 2015 - 18:33
Mr Steve says:
That kind of church interior doesn't appeal to me, but it's different when you know the history behind it.
A nice bath in the centre of the city.
12 August 2015 - 18:51
admin says:
Steve, I don't know if I should say it "appeals" to me either, but it is a bit fascinating and history is always interesting!
12 August 2015 - 19:11
Matts Torebring says:
What terrible things you find, it must feel strange to go out there.
12 August 2015 - 20:09
Ruth in Virginia says:
Must say that I prefer Rantamor's fjords and snow-capped mountains. 🙂
12 August 2015 - 20:18
Marina says:
Of course, it's a bit hard to understand that they are "really" killing when you see "skulls" like this. Since those bones in the Czech church were really different, I wonder where the idea came from in the first place?
12 August 2015 - 20:36
BP says:
Even churches have siesta;-) In Sweden we have no siesta, except for all-day siestas for churches. I have never found an open church at 15:00 even in Stockholm.
So if you like skulls, coming to your two churches is a heavenly experience. Different "decoration" so to speak. In addition, they are attractions and attract tourists, which generates money so...
Good info on the Ontranto church. Interesting indeed!
12 August 2015 - 20:39
admin says:
Matts, history is interesting and sometimes horrible. It doesn't matter much to me if the horrors were played out in a village, castle or church...
Ruth in Virginia, the snow peaks are certainly nicer 😉 .
BP, yes, are churches closed in the afternoon? Ok, I don't go to churches very often... so I don't know. But when we have visited churches abroad (to admire the architecture) they have always been open? The church in Otranto was free to visit, but we did spend money on sandwiches, beer and ice cream 🙂.
12 August 2015 - 20:57
Elisabeth says:
We looked at something similar in Portugal. Seems to be available in many places. Keep up the good work!
12 August 2015 - 22:54
admin says:
Elisabeth, is that true? A bit funny that there are several places like this!
13 August 2015 - 6:30
Ama de casa says:
The cathedrals in Paris that they have decorated with skeletons and skulls are also so macabre interesting... 🙂 ...
13 August 2015 - 9:25
admin says:
Ama de casa, good to know we have some macabre sights left to visit 😉.
13 August 2015 - 12:09
steel city anna says:
And pretty much the same things are happening now, and if anything, it's macabre!
15 August 2015 - 15:18
admin says:
Steen City Anna, you're absolutely right about that. There are so many terrible things happening in the world. It would be nice if all that was history...
16 August 2015 - 8:12
Travelling happiness says:
Hi! How nice to read about Otranto. We went there on a road trip around Puglia. A fantastic area in Italy. Good trip on! Greetings Mette 🙂
16 August 2015 - 23:23
admin says:
Reiselykke, nice that you have also been here and roadtripped! 🙂
17 August 2015 - 7:28
Malin says:
Yes, there is a similar one in Portugal. It's in Evora and the walls are made of skeleton parts and skulls - 5000 of them. At the front of the church hangs the body of a small child and his father. Above the entrance to the church it says something like this: We bones lie here and wait for your bones". Creepy....:) By the way, Evora is a cosy and worth seeing little town in the middle of Portugal.
18 August 2015 - 12:29
Mr Philip Hedberg says:
I was just there an hour ago. Scary when you think about the execution.
20 July 2024 - 12:54