The "Martyrs of Otranto" refers to a group of 813 Christian men who were executed in 1480 in the town of Otranto, Italy. They were killed by the Ottoman Empire during its invasion of the region. The martyrs refused to convert to Islam, choosing to uphold their faith even in the face of death. These individuals were canonized by the Catholic Church in 1771, and their feast day is celebrated on August 14. The story of the martyrs serves as a symbol of faith and resistance against persecution, highlighting the historical conflicts between Christianity and Islam during the Renaissance period.