Palagianello (source: Visual Puglia )
Palagianello is the smallest municipality in western Taranto province, near Mottola, Pagliano and Castellaneta. Its history is closely linked with that of cave-dwelling. A ravine of the same name, right next to the centre of the modern town, functioned as its natural defence for centuries. During medieval times, a complex and well-organized cave village developed on the slopes of the ravine. Its relationship to the modern part of the town is still clearly visible today. The cave village extends principally along the eastern bank of the ravine, directly under the castle, which was built starting in the 16th century by the Domini Roberto family. A few paths and staircases give us access to part of the cave village where there are numerous multi-storied grotto dwellings. The countryside is full of farmhouses, which are the heritage of a long feudal history. Access to the centre of the modern village, with the ancient renaissance hamlet and terraced houses is through the Clock gate. This is annexed to the church of S. Pietro and the Castle dating from the 16th century. Right next to it is the ravine with its cave villages.
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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