Pulsano (source: Visual Puglia )
The town of Pulsano is perched 40 metres above sea level in the province of Taranto, overlooking the beautiful, clear waters of the Ionian Sea. The origins of Pulsano date back to ancient times. A necropolis and a village were discovered dating back to around the XIV century B.C., confirming the existence of the only settlement from the Bronze Age discovered to date on the Gulf of Taranto. In the village, built on a pre-existing settlement, the ruins of Mycenaean ceramics were found which confirm the widespread trading activities with Aegean populations. The region of Pulsano, which dates back to the late Bronze Age, had produced discoveries of jars typical of southern Italy. They are called "dolii" and produced locally. Pulsano’s vocation as a holiday destination was already known in Roman times, when numerous villas were built along the coast by Roman nobles to spend long holidays there and relax. The risk of invasion by the Saracens is testified by the watch tower in Castelluccia, built by the Spanish at the end of the sixteenth century.
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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