On the coat of arms of Otranto there is a black snake twisted around a tower inhaling the oil from an oil lamp, and at the bottom there is a writing "CIVITAS FIDELISSIMA HIDRUNTI" meaning "Faithful Town of Otranto," with evident reference to the heroic resistance of the inhabitants to the Turkish invasion. Among the possible founders of Otranto there are some important names like: Minos, Dedalus, Hercules, Japigio and Lizio, and even if the origins of this small town are not very well known some researchers think that the name of Otranto comes from that of a small river (Idro) that crosses the town. The abundant archaeological finds and the presence of the important Romanelli Cave prove that Otranto was already an important centre during the Paleolithic Age. Near Otranto you can visit the small inlet of Porto Badisco that according to the story of Virgil was the place where Aeneas disembarked. In 1970 this place became famous for the discovery of the Cave of the Bucks, one of most important prehistoric sites in Europe. On the inside walls there are some representations of hunting, of animals, anthropomorphous figures and of some abstract sketches Most researchers think that this symbolism is closely connected to the magic and religious practices of that epoch. In the following centuries Otranto was incorporated into the Magna Greece, and later it was conquered by the Romans. It became a rich Roman Town Hall and produced silver and bronze coins. After the fall of the Roman Empire Otranto was governed by Constantinople and then, by f the Normans, the Swabians, the Angevins and the Aragoneses. In 1480 Mohammed II disembarked at Otranto with 18,000 soldiers: his aim was to conquer Italy and, together with the Spanish Arabic to fight against the Christian Europe. After sixteen days of besiege the town was razed to the ground. On August 14th 800 Martyrs were beheaded since they had refused to deny their Christian religion in favor of the Moslem one. After around a year the Turks were finally defeated. Among the most famous native characters there are Francesco Antonio Primaldo Catara, rector of the Episcopalian Seminary and the first supporter of the canonization of the Martyrs of Otranto ( 1772). Niceta of Otranto was a theologian, a poet, a philosopher and a brilliant speaker: he run the Abbey of St. Nicola of Casole that became the most important cultural centre of that epoch (about 1200 ). Lorenzo Scrupoli devoted himself to the study of the religion, depriving himself of everything. He wrote a lot of works as "del modo di consolare ed aiutare gli infermi a ben morire" and "Il combattimento spirituale," that was translated into different languages. Giulio Capone, well-known lawyer of the Kingdom of Naples, taught at the University. Pantaleone made an exceptional mosaic called " Tree of Life" that can be seen in the Cathedral of Otranto.