Known as the “Gateway to the East”, it is located south of the Adriatic, in the easternmost point of Italy, and overlooks the strait that takes the name of the Otranto Canal from it. Otranto, although it has suffered several devastations, still retains its historic center almost intact and which offers a splendid setting for the southern aspect of its brightly colored houses and is closed by ramparts that overlook the southern shore of the port.