I have been visiting Otranto almost every year for more than ten years, but it wasn’t until recently, while viewing Otranto from above with the “Google Earth” app, that I discovered the formal names of the main street that runs along the bay, connecting the town’s public garden near the historic center to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit on the other side of the bay. I always knew the street by its common name, the “Lungomare.” But the full name is “Lungomare Terra D’Otranto”. At least, that is the name beginning at the public garden. About half way along the bay, the name changes to, “Lungomare John F. Kennedy.” “JFK,” as we Americans refer to him, was one of our country’s great presidents and it is an honor for us American visitors to know that Otranto has named one of its principle streets for him.
One morning, I arose before dawn and took a walk along the Lungomare. I looked across the bay toward the sea and saw fishermen on the rocks of the pier silhouetted in the dawn light. The scene inspired the journal drawing below.
One morning, I arose before dawn and took a walk along the Lungomare. I looked across the bay toward the sea and saw fishermen on the rocks of the pier silhouetted in the dawn light. The scene inspired the journal drawing below.