Ottavio Serena (18 August 1837 – 7 January 1914) was an Italian politician, judge, prefect and historian. He is known in his hometown Altamura for his works about local history, such as the Altamuran Revolution (1799). His contribution and the testimonies he collected allowed to shed light on some historical events (such as the killing of Giovanni Firrao (1799) and on legendary toponyms (Petilia and Altilia). Moreover, he was one of the promoters of the construction of Acquedotto pugliese ("Apulia waterworks"), which he considered essential for the development of Italian region Apulia.