The province of Taranto is found in the Puglia region of
Italy, which is the region that forms part of the heel of Italy's
boot. The region of Puglia is divided into five provinces
(Bari, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce, and Taranto) and includes the two
island groups of Tremiti and Cheradi. The weather is
typically hot and dry. The beaches on the coast of the Ionian Sea
offer plenty of places to sunbathe, swim, and
snorkel.
One of the charming and beautiful geographical features of
Taranto is where three sides of land face inwards on the Mar
Grande, the Mar Piccolo, and the Ionian Sea. The Citta nuova
(New City) is located inland and is linked to the Isola della Citta
Vecchia (Old City) by the Ponte Girevole and di Pietra
Bridge.Taranto is one of Italy's oldest and most beautiful port
cities. It was founded by Greek sea-faring colonists from Sparta
around the 8th century B.C.E.
Legend has it that Taranto was founded by Taras, one of
Poseidon's sons and ancient coinage depicts Taras riding a dolphin,
sometimes with a trident in his hand. Taranto reached its height of
glory during the Grecian era, but there is little left of Taranto's
Greek past. Since modern day Taranto is built on top of the
ruins of the old city, only few ruins remain. One can visit parts
of the old wall surrounding the city, two Doric temple columns
dating back to the 6th century B.C.E., and tombs. Future
excavations may reveal more ruins from the Magna Graecia or
"Greater Greece" era.
Modern day Taranto is a city that still keeps an ancient heart.
It stands on a shoreline famous for its beauty, balanced between
the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo. In the northern part of the
city there are the calm waters of the Mar Piccolo, at the
southern end the grandeur of the Mar Grande bursting in the
Gulf of Taranto (on the Ionian Sea).
Most of Taranto occupied the "città vecchia" until the last
century, when the peninsula was turned into an island connected to
the town by the stone bridge and by the swing bridge. The
historical center is a peculiar network of narrow alleys surrounded
by elegant and poor houses, restored or decaying buildings. From
Via Garibaldi you will arrive in an area of the old town where the
restoration of buildings have been completed.
In Piazza Castello there are the castle, the town hall and the
Doric temple. Nowadays the castello hosts the head quarters of the
Navy, but it was built more than 500 years ago by the Aragoneses.
The cylindrical towers date back to the primitive construction
(1492) which was enlarged by the Spaniards. The ruins of a
great Doric temple consecrated to Neptune are represented by two
tall columns (VIth c. B.C.). The deep channel allows the crossing
of militar and civil ships going from Mar Grande to Mar Piccolo and
vice versa. The swing bridge is the entrance to the city.
Take a stroll from the bridge along the promenade you will see
padlocks of various shapes and sizes attached to the railings as
traditionally departing lovers or friends place a padlock on the
railings which is unlocked when they are reunited.
The National Museum faces the beautiful gardens of Piazza
Garibaldi. It is considered one of the most important archeological
museums in Southern Italy for its wide collection that gives
visitors a complete view of the Magna Graecia civilization. The
history of Grecian Taranto can be read in the precious art exhibits
of the museum. Most of the rich collection of terracotta objects,
ceramics and jewels come from the tombs of the necropolis on which
modern Taranto has been built.
Taranto's coastlines are full of beautiful beaches and
small seaside resorts where fishermen often stop their boats to
sell fresh and tasty fish, octopus, mussels and
oysters. Traditional foods offers a variety of delicious
dishes based on a combination of either fish or meat with excellent
vegetables.
