Otranto—a town of 6000—lies on Italy's boot heel about 50 miles across the Adriatic from AlbaniaThe gem-like waterfront is the hub of social life in the city
Every so often you arrive in a new city you've heard little about, and come away excited about what a truly special place it is. That's how we felt late one afternoon in October of 2019 when we ventured into Otranto—a small city of 6,000 near the tip of Italy's boot heel on the Adriatic. We were surprised and delighted to find one of the world's great waterfronts.
Seeing Otranto first from the deck of a small boat, we were struck by an almost perfect harbor protected by an extended breakwater. It was just a short stroll from the marina to the historic city, which was founded by the ancient Greeks and later became part of the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Napoleonic empires. A fortress-like structure castle adds an atmospheric touch to a city that feels custom-made for walking and gazing out at the sea.
This promenade route in Otranto, Italy, is almost a mile along the harborfront, with the opportunity for strollers to do shorter version for their daily passeggiata
The historic center of the city looks out on the Strait of Otranto, which links the Adriatic and Ionian seas.
A memorable waterfront promenade winds around the historic core, opening up into into a series of piazzas and streets alive with people.
Cafes along the promenade come to life with al fresco diners in the evening
The entrances to the historic core are crowded with pedestrians
Shopping Street in Historic Core
The fine art of shop displays is on view throughout the old city
The Central Piazza
Otranto excels at the admirable Italian custom of passeggiata—an evening stroll for the express purpose of seeing and being seen...Humans share a basic instinct to gather in groups seeking fun and strengthening social bonds.People often make two or more trips up and down the waterfront, providing plentiful opportunities for talking, flirting and catching up on local gossip
Humans share a basic instinct to gather in groups seeking fun and strengthening social bonds.
Another area of activity is the main entranceway into the castle is another area for gathering.
Central Park Bordered by Restaurants
A well-designed ledge creates a popular gathering for men while women favor a nearby bench. Both provide a special place for connecting with friends and neighbors
This park with a string of restaurants on the edge is a major destination for families arriving in the early evening
Main Entrance to Waterfront District
This entranceway into to the center of the waterfront promenade allows people move quite quickly in either direction to get to their desired destination
Main Street and Waterfront Promenade
This street runs along the waterfront, connecting the town center with the famous castle
Folks flock to cafes in both historic and contemporary buildings
Eating ice cream cones and observing other passersby are the primary attractions of this area Looking back at the Historic Center and ParkThe main area of the waterfront is a gateway to the beach and shops. Vehicles can use the streets only at certain times of day
Social Life Project’s mission is to highlight what makes public spaces thrive, drawing from communities around the world. Social Life Project is one of two inaugural programs of our new non-profit the Placemaking Fund. Our second program is PlacemakingX, a global network of leaders who together will accelerate placemaking as a way to create inclusive, healthy, and beloved communities. To make the spaces we live into places we love.
The mission of the Social Life Project is to incite a renaissance of community connection in public spaces around the globe. Through our online publication, presentations, campaigns, and catalytic projects, we can create transformative impact on communities everywhere. Our work grows out of more than 50 years devoted to building the global placemaking movement. It is an initiative of the Placemaking Fund, along with PlacemakingX — a global network of leaders who together accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy, inclusive, and beloved communities.
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Fred Kent
