The Legend of the Serpent

What makes the Torre del Serpe such an evocative and iconic place is its ancient and fascinating legend, which has been handed down orally from generation to generation and has even shaped the coat of arms of the city of Otranto.

The most widespread version tells of an enormous black serpent that lived in the deep sea or in a submarine cave near the tower. Every night, this creature would emerge from the water, climb the tower, coil around the structure, and drink the oil from the lighthouse lamp, extinguishing the light that guided sailors. Without the lighthouse’s light, ships passing through that stretch of sea would crash into the rocks, sinking with all their treasures.

The inhabitants of Otranto, weary of these continuous shipwrecks and losses, decided to ambush the serpent and kill it. But the story doesn’t end there. The serpent’s mate, consumed by grief and a desire for revenge, in turn coiled around the tower and squeezed it with such force that it almost completely destroyed it, leaving it in the ruins we see today.

Another variation of the legend adds a touch of melancholy: it is said that on summer nights, when the sea is calm and the sky is starry, one can still hear the laments and chants of the sailors who lost their lives due to the extinguished lighthouse light—restless souls wandering in desperate search of the shore.

The legend is so deeply rooted in Otranto’s collective imagination that the serpent coiling around a tower has become a distinctive element of the city’s civic coat of arms. This symbol embodies the duality between humanity’s attempt to master the elements and the unstoppable force of nature, but also the memory of tragic events and the resilience of a community.

Today, the Torre del Serpe is a place of great charm. Although it is a ruin, its silhouette against the sky and the sea at sunset is breathtakingly beautiful. Its elevated position offers a spectacular panoramic view of the coast, the Baia delle Orte, and, in the distance, the city of Otranto. It is an ideal spot for a meditative walk, for photography enthusiasts, and for those who wish to immerse themselves in an atmosphere suspended between history, myth, and the suggestive embrace of the Adriatic Sea. The Torre del Serpe is not just an ancient construction, but a custodian of stories that continue to live in the hearts of the people of Otranto.