Taranto |
| Monday, 01 September 2008 00:00 |
 Taranto is a southern Italian harbor town on the Ionian Sea. Taranto has always been a major location. The city used to be the centre of the ancient world and it was established in 706 BC by colonists from the Greek city of Sparta. At that time the city could boast 300,000 inhabitants. Nowadays such density would not be possible any longer though. Know in the past as the “City of two Seas”, Taranto presents itself into two sections: the old and the new town. Thanks to the two peninsulas, two natural water basins, known as the “Mare Piccolo”, have formed themselves. Between the two spits of land there is an island on which the old part of town can be found. The new town can be seen on one of the two peninsulas. The two are connected by the 90 yard long Ponte Gireveole which was opened in 1887. The Old Town is currently undergoing renovation but is rich in historical treasures strongly marked by the Greek historical influences. A must-seen monument is the Poseidon temple built in the fourth century BC even though only two columns of this once magnificent building remain. Around the area of the Palazzo di Città and Palazzo Galeota, the cloister and church lined alleyways leading to the romantic squares are must-seen spots. On the highest point of the Island, you will find the square shaped Castello Aragonese or Castel Sant'Angelo , built in 916. The cathedral San Cataldo displays its history via its architectural combination. Built in 1071, it was erected over the ruins of an old pagan temple, though its façade is mostly Baroque. The hypogeum Ipogeo De Beaumont Bonelli Bellacicco, or crypt is worth a visit with the pre-Christian temple remains found 46 ft under the street. Parts of the building complex date from the Greek, Byzantium, and Middle Age. The residence of the Marquis can also be found here. The New Town is greatly worth a visit. Originally situated outside the city, this was where the dead were buried in the so called Necropolis or city of the dead. Remnants of this practice can be found in seven different places. Of particular note is the “Crypt of the Saviour”. The chamber itself is of Roman origin and is above a fresh water spring, which bubbles forth into the circular grotto. An absolute must is the Archaeological museum, containing perhaps the most important collection in the south of the country. The world famous “Golden Treasure of Taranto”, a rich collection of antique jewellery will delight even the ones uninterested by fans. The city has even more to offer than just the old and new towns. A visit to the tourist information will provide you with details of forthcoming cultural, folklore, music and sporting events, and outside you will find an array of shopping and dinning possibilities. The light, healthy, local cuisine reflects the city’s proximity to the sea and of course its place in the south of Italy. A rental car will provide you with the opportunity to get further out and explore the golden beaches dotted along the coast of this awesome blue of seas. |
Top