Strait of Otranto

• The Strait of Otranto, known to the Romans as the Fretum Hydruntum (Otranto was Hydruntum), is the gateway into the Adriatic from the Ionian Sea.
• It is 500 miles (800km) long and 45 miles (72km) wide at its narrowest point between Punta Palascia in Italy and Albania.

Roman Ferry across the Strait

• From Rome, the Via Appia ran to the port of Brindisi.
• Roman ships operated a ferry across the Strait between Brindisi and Dyrrachium.
• From Dyrrachium the Via Egnatia ran to Byzantium on the Aegean.

Strait of Otranto