Crispiano (source: Visual Puglia )
Crispiano, located 15 km from Taranto, is a small town situated on both shores of the Vallone Lizzitello, in the midst of resin-scented forests. Its economy is based on tourism and gastronomy. Many different types of high-quality products are available, ranging from oil to cheese and from tomatoes to wine. Crispiano is also known as the “City of 100 farmhouses” thanks to the many farmhouses around it, some of which are fortified and which are symbols of its culture. One of these, Masseria Lupoli, also contains an interesting Museum of Farming Culture. The first settlement in this area dates to the 4th century B.C., but few traces remain of that period and barbarian invasions that followed. In the 18th century, the river valley caves that Oriental monks had occupied in the middle ages became the new homes of many farm workers. They came from close-by towns, laying the foundation for modern day Crispiano The Miola, Alezza, Boccaladroni, Fornace, Cacciagualani, Cigliano, L'Amastuola, and Triglie ravines are found in this area. The cave village of Triglie, bordering on Crispiano and Statte, on the sides of a ravine of the same name is also very interesting.
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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