Statte (source: Visual Puglia )
Statte, a few kilometres from Taranto and the Ionian Sea, is the youngest municipality of the Region, having acquired its autonomous administrative status only in 1993. The Neolithic remains found in the area testify to the presence of primitive human settlements in the Leucaspide ravine. The cave culture developed in the middle ages. The grottoes are the common factor in the history of this entire area. The first inhabitants of Statte lived here. They were farmers who made their dwellings in the Canale della Zingara, an area that is inhabited even today. Between the 14th and 18th centuries, Statte was a fief administered by several landowning families. At the end of this period it became a suburb and district of Taranto. All the citizens of this town strongly desired municipal autonomy. The people’s referendum of June 1992 resulted in a plebiscite that decreed a new future for Statte.
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Taranto and its province have their most ancient roots in rock settlements and Greek culture. Two civilizations which developed well in this area of Southern Apulia thanks the conformation of a land once rich in water and very fertile, so much that Greek settlers were attracted by it and founded Taranto in 706 b.C. The presence of water courses, now flowing underground, is also witnessed by the several caves and creeks one can see in this area. A result of erosion, they are an ideal scenario for the development of those rock-settlement civilizations that spread over the whole region and particularly in Taranto area. Today, this province show a slightly sharper aspect in its inland, sandy sea beds and limpid sea in Taranto Gulf area. Ancient civilizations are still visible in the charm of wonderful landscapes included in natural settings.
In Taranto Murge there are deep ravines resulting from the action of ancient rivers as well as several karstic caves where a flourishing rock-settlement civilization rose since prehistory. Often a haven for shepherds and peasants, these same caves were used in Middle Ages as a place of worship by Basilian monks. Traces and witnesses of rock settlements, hypogeous hamlets and frescoed walls can be seen near Mottola and Massafra
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In Taranto province inland area, characterized by a green landscape, olive groves and vineyards, there are several small towns like Manduria or Grottaglie, which roots can be found in ancient Messapi civilization. These towns often offer very interesting archeological and naturalistic parks
The Ionian coast is characterized by wide beaches and a limpid water sloping gently into deepness. Cities such as Taranto, also known as the "city of two seas" stand over this coast, and Pulsano with their tourist vocation and famous local food
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia