Monteiasi (source: Visual Puglia )
An ancient town in the Albania Salentina area, Monteiasi was an expansion of the Antoglietta family farmhouse, where a colony of Albanians moved in the 15th century. Later the settlement was promoted to a barony. In the 16th century, it was a duchy under the Ungano family from Taranto; an anecdote tells how a relic of the Crucifix miraculously healed one of their children. This only increased the veneration of the Most Holy Crucifix, which formally became the protector of the city with papal approval in 1682. Mainly an agricultural town, it suffered due to problems of unemployment and migration from the countryside until the first half of the 20th century. Its economy today is dependent on the agricultural, industrial and service sectors.
(continue...)
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
Go to list
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