Torricella (source: Visual Puglia )
Torricella is located 30 km from Taranto and is the youngest municipality of the province. Standing 32 meters above sea level, it lives off its thriving agriculture based on olive groves, wheat cultivation, plantations of figs and sheep farming. Its origins date back to the 11th century, when a group of shepherds and farmers left the coast and headed inland to take shelter from the Saracen pirate raids. The Crypt of the Santissima Trinità (12th century) remains from that time. Today the town is gathered around an impressive, well-preserved tufa castle, with five towers, built in the Aragonese period (second half of the 15th century). In 1407 Torricella was owned by the Capitignano, and later by the Santoro, Montagnese and Muscettola. After the abolition of feudal rights its belonged first to Sava and then Lizzano.
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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