Tarantino

<< Apulia

The Province of Taranto occupies an area of Apulia located along the Ionian Sea, and extending from the border with Basilicata to the northernmost part of the historical region of Salento. This area is mostly flat with some hills in the north, and it is centered around Taranto. The province is known for hosting various historic sites.

Taranto

Taranto is the second largest city in Apulia, placed between the Ionian Sea and a small gulf, with the old town located on an island. The city was founded by Greek colonists from Sparta in the 8th century, and became one of the most important centers of Magna Graecia. Taranto ruled over various Greek colonies and was a flourishing center of commerce, arts, and culture, but in the end it was conquered by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, Taranto was the capital of a large principality, and later became part of the Kingdom of Naples. The city is now mainly an industrial center.

✪ National Archaeological Museum of Taranto

The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Taranto) is a museum in Taranto, which includes one of the largest collections of artifacts from Magna Graecia. The museum houses numerous sculptures, ceramics, vases, coins, mosaics, and other objects and artworks mostly dating from the Greek and Roman era. Here is also the Gold of Taranto (Ori di Taranto), a collection of elaborate jewellery from the Hellenistic and Roman period.

Aragonese Castle

The Aragonese Castle is a castle located on the southeastern edge of the old town of Taranto. The current structure was built in the 15th century on the site of previous medieval and Greek fortifications. The castle was later turned into a prison, and then a base of the Italian Navy. The fort is still very well preserved and now it can be visited. Next to the castle are some ruins of the Temple of Poseidon (Tempio di Poseidone), a Greek temple from the 6th century BCE.

Taranto Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Cataldo (Cattedrale di San Cataldo)

The Taranto Cathedral (Cattedrale di Taranto) is the main church of the city, located in the center of the old town. The chruch was built in the 10th century and was later reworked with Romanesque and Baroque additions. The facade is adorned with Baroque decorations, and the interior houses several artworks, including a medieval mosaic.

Church of San Domenico Maggiore

The Church of San Domenico Maggiore is a medieval church located on the western side of the old town of Taranto. The church was built in the Late Middle Ages on the site of an ancient Greek temple, and features a blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements. The facade is adorned with a large rose window and an elaborate portal, while inside the church are various artworks. The church is also known for the adjacent convent and cloister, and the archaeological findings unearthed underneath the complex.

Palazzo Pantaleo

Palazzo Pantaleo is an 18th-century palace located near the sea in the old town of Taranto, next to the Church of San Domenico Maggiore. The palace features many decorated halls and currently houses the Alfredo Majorano Ethnographic Museum (Museo Etnografico Alfredo Majorano), a museum showcasing local culture and traditions.

Leporano

Leporano is a small town located east of Taranto. The town developed recently and it is best known for hosting an archaeological site.

Archaeological Park of Saturo

The Archaeological Park of Saturo (Parco Archeologico di Saturo) houses the ruins of an ancient settlement along the coast of the Ionian Sea. Founded in the Bronze Age, the town of Saturo was later inhabited by the Greeks, while the Romans built several villas here. The park hosts the ruins of various ancient structures, including a Roman villa and parts of the acropolis.

Manduria

Manduria is a town located east of Taranto. In ancient times, it was a stronghold of the Messapians, but it was later conquered by Taranto and then the Romans. The town was destroyed and rebuilt in the 11th century, but still features some of its ancient walls. The city is also known for its Primitivo di Manduria wine.

Archaeological Park of the Messapic Walls

The Archaeological Park of the Messapic Walls (Parco Archeologico delle Mura Messapiche) is an archaeological site in Manduria which features various ancient structures. The most notable of these are the ancient walls built by the Messapians between the 5th and 3rd century BCE. The area also houses the largest Messapian necropolis ever found, as well as an ancient fort and a medieval church.

Grottaglie

Grottaglie is a town located in the countryside northeast of Taranto. The city was founded in ancient times and developed during the Middle Ages. Now it is an agricultural and industrial center known for the production of ceramics.

Episcopio Castle

The Episcopio Castle is a castle erected in Grottaglie during the 14th century, later reworked with the addition of a Baroque facade. The castle houses the Ceramics Museum of Grottaglie (Museo della Ceramica di Grottaglie), which hosts a collection of historic ceramics, including several archaeological findings.

Martina Franca

Martina Franca is a city located in the Itria Valley north of Taranto. The town was founded in the 10th century by people from Taranto, and grew to become one of the main centers in the area. The city is now known for the Baroque decorations of its old town.

Basilica of San Martino

The Basilica of San Martino is the main church of Martina Franca, erected in the 18th century to replace a previous Romanesque structure. The church features a facade adorned with elaborate Baroque decorations, while the interior houses several artworks.

Ducal Palace of Martina Franca

The Ducal Palace of Martina Franca (Palazzo Ducale di Martina Franca) is a large palace erected in the 17th century in Martina Franca, which features some richly frescoed halls. The palace now serves as town hall and houses a library, and museums on local environment and art. Next to the palace is the historic city gate of Porta Santo Stefano.

Massafra

Massafra is a town located on the sides of a ravine northwest of Taranto. While the area has been inhabited since prehistoric times, the town only emerged in the Middle Ages.

Ravine of San Marco

The Ravine of San Marco (Gravina di San Marco) is a ravine that cuts the town of Massafra in two. This area features a beautiful enviroment filled with trees, and takes its name from a rupestrian church located here. The Massafra Castle, erected during the Middle Ages, is located on the cliffs near the southern end of the ravine.

Ravine of Madonna della Scala

The Ravine of Madonna della Scala (Gravina di Madonna della Scala) is a ravine located northwest of Massafra. This canyon houses the ruins of an ancient village and rupestrian churches, and takes its name from the nearby Sanctuary of Madonna della Scala (Santuario di Madonna della Scala), erected in the 18th century over an older chapel.