Taranto (source: Visual Puglia )
The chief town in the province, Taranto overlooks the Gulf of the same name in the Ionian Sea. It is called the city of two seas, the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo, which both brush against its coastline. Due to its position, the city has always been considered of strategic importance from both a commercial and military point of view and its two ports have always hosted navy and merchant ships. The origins of the city date back to 706 B.C. when, according to the renowned Eusebio da Cesarea, colonies from Sparta settled in the area. Having destroyed the pre-existing settlement, they planted their colony and quickly integrated with new inhabitants who built little satellite fortresses on what is now the Old City or the Island. The first transformation of the city took place between the III and I century B.C. with the arrival of the Romans and the creation of a municipality. The reconstruction of Taranto’s civil and urban history is rather difficult due to a lack of evidence, finds or news determining historic periods, even if it is certain the city was destroyed by the Muslims in 927 and its reconstruction began in 967 by Niceforo II Foca. The reconstruction of the city during the Norman and Suevian periods brought new churches and the subdivision of the city into four districts. During the periods of Angionian, Aragon and Spanish rule, the city was further fortified due to the impending danger represented by the Turks, however there was little religious construction during this period. All the imposing fortifications in the Old Town were destroyed by decree of King Victor Emanuel II of Savoy. In 1882 it was decided to locate the Italian navy arsenal in Santa Lucia Bay, in the Mar Piccolo, to defend Italy from the dangerous Mediterranean.
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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