What to see in Taranto: the charm of the City of Two Seas

Overlooking two bodies of water, Taranto is a city suspended between myth and history, between salty wind and centuries of civilization. It is not only a capital of Puglia overlooking the blue of the Mediterranean, but a place that preserves in its DNA the imprint of the great empires that have passed through it. It is often called the City of the two seas , due to its particular geographical position between the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo, but it is also known as the Spartan City , the only colony founded by the Spartans outside of Greece.

Stopping here means taking a journey through the centuries, in the presence of Doric temples, Aragonese castles, ancient necropolises and Baroque churches, but also being surprised by modern architecture reflected in the water.

8 things to see in Taranto

Taranto, in short, is a story to be lived, a city that speaks with stone, wind and sea. Every corner holds a story and every glimpse is an open window on a fascinating past.

1. The Aragonese Castle

As soon as you arrive on the island of the historic center, you cannot help but be struck by the majesty of the Aragonese Castle , also known as Castel Sant'Angelo. The strategic position, at the extreme edge of the Old City, immediately reveals its defensive function. Its origins date back to the Byzantine period, around the 9th century , when there was a need to protect against attacks from the sea. The original towers were tall and slender, perfect for repelling attacks with every possible means: from arrows to stones, to boiling oil.

But it was in the fifteenth century that the castle took on the appearance we know today. Ferdinand II of Aragon, a Catholic sovereign, promoted its expansion, making it an even more imposing fortress, with seven towers, including the famous Rivellino , designed to guarantee a safe escape route in the event of a siege.

2. The Old City of Taranto

Suspended in time, the Old Town is the authentic soul of Taranto . A labyrinth of alleys, narrow and winding streets, courtyards and small squares that extend on an island connected to the mainland by two bridges: the Ponte di Pietra and the Ponte Girevole.

Between a colorful mural and a baroque church, you can see hidden restaurants and shops that have resisted the passage of time. And right here, a few steps from the Palazzo di Città, two ancient Doric columns stand: they are what remains of the Temple of Poseidon, built even before the temples of Paestum and Syracuse.

3. The Church of San Domenico Maggiore

Along via Duomo, in the heart of the ancient village, the sober but fascinating façade of the Church of San Domenico Maggiore opens up. What immediately distinguishes it is the scissor staircase that seems to invite the visitor to climb.

The church, for centuries the seat of the Confraternita dell'Addolorata, houses one of the symbols most loved by the people of Taranto: the statue of the Madonna dell'Addolorata , which every Holy Thursday passes in procession through the streets of the city, in a heartfelt and evocative rite. The interior, with a baroque altar, tells of the profound devotion that binds the community to its spiritual past.

4. The Swing Bridge

It is impossible to think of Taranto without evoking the famous Ponte Girevole , which has linked the old town to the new town since 1887. It is not just an infrastructure, but a symbol of Taranto's identity. Almost 90 meters long, it once opened thanks to a manual mechanism of levers and pins that allowed the passage of military ships towards the Arsenal.

Today, modernized with an electric system, it continues to amaze every time it opens, dividing the two banks as if by magic. Crossing it on foot is a “little ritual” for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the daily life of the city, listening to the rustling of the sea and the passage of the boats below.

5. The Cathedral of San Cataldo

In the center of the Old City, the Cathedral of San Cataldo imposes itself with its solemn presence: it is the oldest cathedral in Puglia, dating back to the 10th century , built on even earlier foundations. The interior, with three naves, is a journey through time: from the original Byzantine nucleus to the subsequent transformations that have enriched it with Romanesque and Baroque elements.

The eighteenth-century façade, with its sober elegance, anticipates the intimate atmosphere of the interior, where some of the most important figures of the city's past rest. The old Norman bell tower no longer exists, destroyed by an earthquake in 1400, but the memory of its existence is still alive among the stones and in the stories.

6. The National Archaeological Museum

To fully understand the greatness of Taranto, a visit to the National Archaeological Museum is a must. Inside, housed in the ancient convent of the Alcantarini Friars, an archaeological heritage of extraordinary importance unfolds. The first floor houses finds from the city's Greek, Roman and Byzantine past, including amphorae, coins, statues and jewels that testify to the wealth and refinement of ancient Taranto.

The second floor, more recent, reveals the most remote origins of the territory, with finds dating back to the Neolithic . A special section is dedicated to the history of the city, in a fascinating journey that accompanies the visitor from prehistoric settlements up to the 4th century BC.

7. The Greco-Roman Necropolises

Beneath the surface of Taranto lies another city, made of silence and memory: that of the Greco-Roman necropolis . Scattered in various parts of the modern town, the archaeological areas tell us a lot about the relationship that the ancients had with death and the afterlife.

The necropolis of via Marche, the tombs of via Umbria and via Sardegna, up to the famous Tomba degli Atleti of via Francesco Crispi, have been the subject of important excavations that have brought to light over 160 burials . Each tomb holds a world: bodies placed in a fetal position, cinerary urns, everyday objects, jewelry and pottery, all designed to accompany the deceased on their final journey.

8. The Co-Cathedral of the Great Mother of God

And finally, to remind us that Taranto does not only live in the past but also looks to the future, there is the Gran Madre di Dio Concattedrale . In the Borgo Nuovo, it is an example of modern religious architecture, conceived in the Seventies with a style that breaks every pattern. From the outside, the church appears as an unfurled sail, a light and airy structure in steel and concrete that is reflected in the water, a symbol of spirituality projected into the present time.

Inside, the atmosphere is equally essential, almost minimalist: no frescoes, no baroque domes, but perforated walls that let the light filter through.

What to do in Taranto: experiences to live

Discovering Taranto is also an invitation to get involved in authentic experiences, which allow you to come into contact with nature, the sea and the most deep-rooted traditions of this corner of Puglia.

Whether you are a lover of biodiversity, a sea enthusiast or a thrill seeker, Taranto has a lot to offer. Here are three experiences that are truly worth living.

Visit the “Palude La Vela” Nature Reserve

Not far from the town centre, on the quiet shores of the Mar Piccolo, lies a corner of still wild and precious nature: the “Palude La Vela” Nature Reserve , protected and managed by the WWF of Taranto, one of the most varied ecosystems in the area, where fresh and brackish water meet, creating a perfect habitat for extraordinary fauna.

Among the reeds swaying in the wind and the spontaneous pine forests, you can spot fascinating birds such as storks , flamingos and ospreys . And there is no shortage of reptiles , such as marsh turtles and some vipers well hidden in the tall grass, as well as small mammals such as squirrels, voles and dormice.

The sensation, while walking along the paths immersed in the vegetation or observing the birds from the birdwatching huts , is that of having entered a parallel dimension, where everything is more silent, slow, authentic.

Enjoying the sea in summer

Taranto in summer has the scent of salt on the skin, the sound of the waves caressing the shore and that intense light that seems to draw the landscape at every hour of the day. When the sun shines high, there is nothing better than reaching the beaches of the area, true jewels set along the Ionian coast.

Lido Silvana Beach , perhaps the best known, is a small paradise for those who love fine sand and clear water. But San Vito Beach , frequented mainly by the people of Taranto, also has its own charm, more reserved and genuine. And Chiatona , ideal for those who want a quiet corner where they can be lulled by the waves.

Continuing south, the coast offers postcard-like scenery: Marina di Pulsano and Marina di Lizzano enchant with soft dunes, transparent sea and light sand, perfect for long days in the sun or for relaxing swims. And if you want to go even further, here is Campomarino , immersed in the Mediterranean scrub, and San Pietro in Bevagna , where the water is so clear that it seems like a natural swimming pool.

Dolphin spotting

In few places in the world is the bond between man and the sea as deep as in Taranto. And to remind us of this, in a symbolic and powerful way, there is the dolphin , an animal that has always been the protagonist of the city's coat of arms and linked to the myth of the city's very foundation.

Today that bond lives on thanks to an extraordinary project: the Jonian Dolphin Conservation . The association has been monitoring, studying and protecting the cetaceans that inhabit the waters of the Gulf of Taranto for years. But above all, it makes a unique experience possible for anyone: to climb aboard the catamaran Taras and set off on a real scientific expedition in the open sea.

During the excursions, you can observe dolphins up close in their natural habitat. They swim freely, play in the waves, accompany the boat in a silent show that moves and amazes. Sometimes other marine species also appear, making the trip even more surprising.

How to get there

Reaching Taranto is easy, whether you choose to travel by train or by car. Rail connections connect it to the main cities of southern Italy: you can arrive from Bari, Brindisi or Calabria, thanks to the Ionian and Adriatic railway lines that serve the station daily.

For those who prefer the car, the A14 motorway is the main route. Those coming from the north can exit at the Massafra junction and continue towards Taranto. The network of state roads also offers convenient and well-connected solutions: the SS 106 Ionica accompanies you along the Calabrian side, the SS 100 arrives directly from Bari and the SS 7 Appia allows a direct connection with Brindisi.