Mottola (source: Visual Puglia )
Mottola is located on a hill 387 metres above sea level, where the view ranges from the plains and sight of the gulf of Taranto to the green mountains of the high Sila. For this characteristic it is called the “lookout of the Ionian” or even the “Balcony of southern Apulia”. Around the hill, Mottola is developed on terraces which move in a circle towards the centre of the town. The town is one of the oldest settlements in Apulia and was always a stronghold against invaders: first against the inhabitants of Taranto they defended themselves with Bruzi and Messapi, later against the Romans with Hannibal. It was destroyed by the Normans around 1100 and then rebuilt by them; later it was Angevin and then the Caracciolo family’s for two centuries. Particularly famous for the rock civilisation in the surrounding areas, just outside town are the most interesting sights, such as the Petruscio ravine to the south-east of the town. Mottola possesses around 5800 hectares of woods, the last pieces of the large forest that covered most of Apulia and nearby Basilicata until the end of the 1800’s.
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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