Corigliano D’Otranto: A Beautiful Grecia Salentina Town
Corigliano D’Otranto, Italy is a town in Lecce. It is one of the 9 towns in of Grecia Salentina, an area inhabited by Grikos, a Greek, ethnic minority group. Its patron saint is St. Nicola di Bari.
Best Time to Visit
The perfect time to visit Corigliano D’Otranto is during the months of April through June and September through November, for the best weather. Peak tourist season is usually during the months of May through July. Tourists are least likely to visit in November. One of the most exciting events in town is La Notte della Taranta, which is held every August. It stems from a belief that the bite of taranta or tarantula spider leads to a hysteric behavior characterized by restlessness. Accordingly, those who are bitten need to do frenzied dancing to save themselves from potential death. This dance is known as “tarantella”.
What to Do & Area Attractions
When in the area, tourists should visit the Castle of Charles V or Castello di Lecce. It was built in the Middle Ages. From 1870 until 1979, it served as a military district. Currently, it is the seat of Lecce’s Cultural Affairs. Another must-see attraction in the area is Porta Napoli. It is Lecce’s arch of triumph established in the early 16th century. With a full-length furnace and 2 Corinthian columns on each side, it was built in defense of Lecce back in the day. Also visit the Corigliano d’Otranto Castle. Many Corigliano D’Otranto hotels provide reliable accommodation services at reasonable rates. The Masseria Appide is an 18th century estate which offers an outdoor pool and a hot tub. Hotel Rodia features a bar/lounge, a café, a restaurant, free wifi and free breakfast. The La Lanterna has a restaurant, a garden and free breakfast.