Taranto between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo

Taranto lies between the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo. This location shapes the view of the city from two directions: one body of water is connected to the coastal landscape around the Cheradi Islands, while the other is associated with mussel farming, which has been carried out there on a large scale for centuries. Historic buildings, museums and varied coastlines add to the picture. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus primarily on the city’s history, nature or the sea.

Coasts, water and nature

The coastlines differ considerably: Taranto’s western coast has wide beaches. Along the eastern coast, high dunes, Mediterranean maquis, low cliffs and numerous coves alternate. For anyone interested in landscapes, this means there is not just one type of coastline, but a variety of settings to consider when planning a trip.

The waters also each have their own character. In the Mar Grande near the Cheradi Islands, dolphins, other whales and cetaceans, colonies of seahorses and pink flamingos can be found. In the Mar Piccolo lies the WWF Palude La Vela Oasis, a protected wetland of about seven hectares in the Taranto area. Resident and migratory bird species live there, including herons, flamingos, ospreys and the rare black-winged stilt. Which species can be seen varies by season.

Mussel farming in the Mar Piccolo adds a long-standing local food tradition to this natural setting. This describes an activity that has been carried out there on a large scale for centuries; in itself, it says nothing about the current availability of products or tastings.

Archaeology, historic buildings and city history

For an introduction to the city’s history, the MArTA exhibition traces the development of Taranto and its surrounding area from prehistoric times to the early Middle Ages. The museum displays one of the largest collections of Magna Graecia artefacts, including Taranto’s famous gold finds. The Colonne del Tempio Dorico are the surviving remains of a Magna Graecia temple dating to the early 6th century BC. They are outdoors, free to access and have no set visiting hours. Access conditions may change if the public space is altered.

The Castello Aragonese occupies the southernmost tip of the island on which the old town is located. Its square layout includes a large courtyard. The complex was inaugurated in 1492 and retains four named towers: San Cristoforo, San Lorenzo, dell’Annunziata and della Bandiera. Visits are possible only as part of free guided tours, which must be reserved in advance. Check visiting conditions beforehand. Another historical layer can be seen in the Monastery of San Domenico, whose present form dates to the mid-14th century. The cloister preserves the foundations of a Greek temple built in the 6th century BC on the acropolis of the Greek colony of Taranto.

The Basilica Cattedrale di San Cataldo also brings together different periods. It is considered the oldest cathedral in Apulia. Greek and Roman columns and capitals stand in the central nave beside traces of a medieval floor mosaic; above them is a magnificent wooden coffered ceiling with gold decoration. Beneath the main altar is a 10th-century crypt, with frescoes from various periods.

Bridges provide further historical landmarks. The Ponte di Pietra is 115 metres long, has three arches and was built in 1883. It offers views of the Mar Piccolo and the Mar Grande; city buses stop a short distance away. The Ponte Girevole was inaugurated in 1887 and operated from inside the Castello Aragonese. These details help place the bridges in the context of the city’s history without making assumptions about their current use.

Museums and local traditions

The MuDi, the Museo Diocesano di Taranto, is in the old town behind the Basilica Cattedrale di San Cataldo. Its permanent exhibition is divided into seven thematic sections across three levels and displays more than 350 works. These include silver and gold objects, most of which come from the so-called Tesoro di San Cataldo. The presentation and arrangement of individual exhibits may change. The MuDi can be reached by bus routes 27 and 354.A03 and by R. train services; check connections before setting out.

In the historic centre, the 18th-century Palazzo Pantaleo houses the Museo Etnografico Alfredo Majorano. It documents Tarantism and local traditions through objects relating to themes such as the sea, the land, traditional occupations, games and religious devotion. Those interested in everyday culture can find another perspective on Taranto here alongside its archaeological collections.

The Ipogeo Funerario consists of two rooms that reuse areas carved out of the rock in Greek times. The walls of the second room contain openings that probably served a Christian or Byzantine burial. Visits generally take place as pre-booked guided tours; check the current arrangements in advance. The Museo Dal Mare offers interactive workshops and educational activities on seafaring and navigation for adults, children, students and other visitors. The programme may change, so it is advisable to ask about the current availability of workshops.

Planning your visit and stay

One distinctive religious tradition is the pilgrimage of the Confraternity del Carmine. It begins at 3 pm on Maundy Thursday: members walk barefoot to the churches of the Borgo and the Città Vecchia and return to the Carmine church around midnight. The tradition has existed since at least the 16th century; since shortly after the Second World War, it has been the only tradition of its kind preserved by Taranto’s confraternities. As the dates and routes should be checked each year, plan your visit accordingly.

For a green stop in the centre, consider the Giardini di Piazza Garibaldi: this free public green space is within walking distance of the historic centre, and public transport stops nearby. The Parco Archeologico di Saturo is also a destination near Taranto on the Ionian coast, outside the city limits. Two routes lead through its history, from its beginnings in the 2nd millennium BC to interventions in the present day.

Choose where to stay based on the experiences you most want to include, while keeping the relevant visiting conditions in mind.

Discover more destinations: Torricella, Marina Di Pulsano, Sava, Maruggio, Manduria, Taranto, Pulsano, Palagiano, Leporano, Ginosa, Marina Di Ginosa, Crispiano, Uggiano Montefusco, Specchiarica, Castellaneta, Laterza, San Marzano di San Giuseppe, Lido Chiatona-stazione di Palagiano, Monteiasi, Monacizzo, Marina di Lizzano, Roccaforzata, Faggiano, Avetrana, Mottola, San Pietro In Bevagna, Martina Franca, Talsano, Massafra, Lizzano, Lido Azzurro, Castellaneta Marina, Grottaglie, Librari, Palagianello, San Giorgio Ionico, Torre Columena, Monteparano.

For the regional travel overview: Apulia.