Taranto, immersed in the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea, is a unique combination of natural contradictions. On the one hand, it is a place of ancient fishing boats and farms where the famous Taranto mussels are grown. On the other hand, it serves as an important commercial and naval port, always teeming with ships and submarines.
Taranto’s history, rich in both glorious and tragic events, has left the city a legacy worthy of attention. The city is located in the northeastern part of the Gulf of Taranto and is divided into two parts: the modern part on the mainland and the historical part on a small island between Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo. This has earned Taranto the charming nickname “the city of two seas.”
Taranto Attractions
A tour of Taranto’s attractions usually begins with the Old Town, which is located on a small island at the mouth of Mar Piccolo. Approaching from the east, the imposing Fortress of Sant’Angelo, also known as the Aragonese Castle, immediately catches your eye. Built in the late 15th century on the site of older Byzantine fortifications to control the shipping channel, this fortress served as a prison under the Habsburgs and is today administered by the Italian Navy. Entry to the fortress is permitted only as part of guided tour groups, which gather at the entrance.
Via Duomo, a street that leads inland from Sant’Angelo, begins directly from the fortress. After a walk of about 500 meters between old houses, you’ll reach Piazza Duomo, home to the Cathedral of San Cataldo. This cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in all of Apulia, is a symbol of the Old Town. The cathedral’s Baroque façade is decorated with niches containing statues of saints and numerous angels. The splendor of the three-aisled cathedral’s interior is enhanced by an abundance of frescoes and fragments of medieval mosaic decoration. The cathedral’s crypt is particularly worth visiting, with its low columns and 13th-century paintings evoking a medieval atmosphere.
At the western end of the Old Town lies another remarkable church: San Domenico Maggiore. This Romanesque-Gothic church, built in the 11th century, houses unique icons by Marco Pino, over 400 years old.
