Laterza (source: Visual Puglia )
Among the canyons scattered like the ribs of a fan around the gulf of Taranto, Laterza is the most spectacular of all. It is one of the biggest canyons of Europe with an extension of 12 km and even up to 500 metres wide in some points. Among massive rock walls consumed by erosion and smooth whitish limestone walls, you can admire the beauties of fauna and flora, as well as the signs of past human civilizations who chose these caves as dwellings. Laterza has a very old history. The excavations of the sixties in the area of Candile brought up finds dating back to the year 2000 b.C. Situated along the Via Appia, which connected Taranto to Rome, the most celebrated Roman street is still visible in certain points. Many finds from Ancient Greece have also been extracted from the ground, but also from the Roman period and the Middle Ages; all this bears evidence to how Laterza has been an important centre for ceramic production since the most distant ages. Starting from the Middle Ages, the town developed its activities in the production of the precious white and glossy majolica. The shapes, decorations and colours used by Laertan ceramists are absolutely special and are a distinguishing feature in the national ceramic production.
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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