Welcome to Taranto: The Spartan Queen of the Two Seas

Imagine a city cradled between two mirrors of water, where the salt of the Ionian Sea meets the calm, freshwater springs of an inner lagoon. At ApuliaBella, we call Taranto the “City of the Two Seas” (the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo). It is a place of dramatic contrasts: a gritty, ancient island heart connected by a revolving steel bridge to a bustling modern metropolis. Taranto is not the polished, white-washed Puglia of postcards; it is raw, ancient, and undeniably regal.

As your dedicated ApuliaBella travel advisor, we invite you to peel back the layers of Italy’s only Spartan colony. Taranto is for the traveler who seeks “The Epic”—the one who wants to walk where Spartan warriors once stood, dine on mussels praised by Roman poets, and witness a sunset that turns the Ionian horizon into liquid gold. Whether you are descending into underground hypogea or watching dolphins leap in the wake of a wooden fishing boat, ApuliaBella is here to guide you through the mythic gates of this Ionian powerhouse.

A Legacy of Dolphins and Warriors: The History of Taranto

The history of Taranto is a saga of divine intervention and military might. At ApuliaBella, we love the legend of its founding: Falanto, a Spartan leader, was shipwrecked but carried safely to the shore by a dolphin sent by Poseidon. In 706 BC, he established Taras, which grew to become the most powerful city of Magna Graecia (Great Greece). For centuries, Taras was a center of philosophy, art, and naval supremacy, rivaling even Rome in its heyday.

When you walk the streets with ApuliaBella, we tell the story of the “Two Cities.” The Città Vecchia (Old City) sits on an artificial island, a maze of narrow alleys designed to trap invaders and confuse the Mediterranean winds. The Borgo Nuovo (New Town) represents the 19th-century expansion, characterized by wide boulevards and neoclassical splendor. At ApuliaBella, we help you navigate this transition from the Doric columns of Greek temples to the industrial might of the modern era. It is a city that has been conquered by Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, and Normans, yet it remains fundamentally, stubbornly Tarentine.

The National Archaeological Museum (MArTa): The Gold of the Gods

No visit to Taranto is complete without stepping into the MArTa, one of the most important archaeological museums in the world.

As your ApuliaBella travel guide, we consider this the soul of the city. The museum houses the legendary “Ori di Taranto” (Gold of Taranto)—a collection of Hellenistic jewelry so fine it looks like it was woven by spirits rather than smiths. At ApuliaBella, we find that standing before these 2,000-year-old diadems and nutcrackers provides a profound connection to the sheer wealth and sophistication of ancient Taras. It is a testament to a time when Taranto was the cultural capital of the Mediterranean.

The Castello Aragonese: Sentinel of the Sea

Standing guard at the corner of the Old City is the Castello Aragonese (also known as Castel Sant’Angelo). Built upon Byzantine and Norman foundations, the current fortress was perfected by the Spanish in the 15th century.

Your ApuliaBella travel guide recommends the free guided tours led by the Italian Navy. These sailors bring the castle to life, leading you through dark torture chambers, Renaissance firing galleries, and up to ramparts that offer the best views of the Ponte Girevole (Swing Bridge). At ApuliaBella, we love the moment the bridge opens—a rare feat of 19th-century engineering that allows the massive naval fleet to pass between the two seas. We find the castle to be the “Stone Guardian” of Taranto, protecting the city’s secrets for over a millennium.

The Cathedral of San Cataldo: A Baroque Jewel Box

In the center of the Old City lies the Duomo di San Cataldo, the oldest cathedral in Puglia. While its facade is Baroque, its bones are ancient, dating back to the 10th century.

We at ApuliaBella urge you to enter the Chapel of San Cataldo. It is a dizzying explosion of multi-colored marble, inlaid stones, and statues that rival the finest churches in Rome or Naples. As your ApuliaBella travel guide, we find the contrast between the rough, winding streets outside and the iridescent splendor of the interior to be one of the city’s great surprises. At ApuliaBella, we view this cathedral as the “Spiritual Anchor” of the island, where the Irish saint Cataldus found his final resting place among the Greek ruins.

The Doric Columns: Echoes of Spartan Prayer

Near the castle, two massive stone pillars rise toward the sky. These are the Colonne Doriche, the remains of a 6th-century BC temple probably dedicated to Poseidon or Persephone.

Your ApuliaBella travel guide considers these columns the most evocative spot in the city. They are the oldest temple remains in Italy outside of Sicily. At ApuliaBella, we suggest visiting them at night, when they are illuminated against the dark sea. We find that touching the weathered stone—the same stone touched by Spartan priests—is the quickest way to feel the “Weight of Time” in Taranto.

Culinary Specialties: The Brine of the Ionian

The kitchen of Taranto is, unsurprisingly, dominated by the sea. However, it is the Mar Piccolo that provides the city’s most famous ingredient: the mussel. At ApuliaBella, we ensure you taste the “Sweetness of the Springs.”

• Cozze alla Tarantina: Mussels sautéed with garlic, parsley, and chili, often served with a splash of fresh tomato. The secret? The freshwater springs (citri) in the lagoon make these mussels exceptionally sweet.

• Tarantello di Tonno: A rare, prized cut of tuna taken from the belly, preserved in olive oil—a delicacy once reserved for royalty.

• Orecchiette with Seafood: While Bari uses turnip greens, Taranto often pairs its “little ears” with a medley of fresh shellfish and squid.

• Tubettini con le Cozze: A classic local pasta dish where small tube-shaped pasta is cooked directly with mussels and their salty liquor.

• Sea Urchins (Ricci): In the winter months, locals eat these raw with a piece of crusty bread, a briny explosion of pure ocean flavor.

Insider Tip: The Dolphin Conservation Tour

Here is an ApuliaBella insider tip: Do not just look at the sea—get on it. Taranto is home to a permanent colony of striped and common dolphins.

Our ApuliaBella recommendation is to book a day with the Jonian Dolphin Conservation. Unlike a standard tourist boat, you join researchers on a catamaran to help track and photograph these magnificent creatures. At ApuliaBella, we find that seeing a dolphin jump against the backdrop of the industrial steelworks is a powerful reminder of nature’s resilience. It is the ultimate “Full Circle” experience for a city founded on a dolphin legend.

The Underground City: Hypogeum Bellacicco

To truly understand Taranto, you must go beneath it. The Spartan Museum (Hypogeum Bellacicco) is a multi-level structure carved into the rock.

Your ApuliaBella travel guide finds this site fascinating because it showcases the city’s “vertical history.” You can see Greek quarry marks, Byzantine carvings, and 18th-century noble cellars all in one building. At ApuliaBella, we love how this hypogeum opens directly onto the sea at water level. We find it to be a “Labyrinth of the Ages,” where the limestone preserves the city’s DNA.

Why Choose ApuliaBella for Your Taranto Journey?

Taranto is a city of “Shadows and Splendor.” It requires a guide who can see past the industrial exterior to the Greek heart beating beneath.

• Mythological Depth: ApuliaBella connects the legends of Falanto and Poseidon to the physical landmarks you visit, making history feel alive.

• Naval Access: We know the schedules for the castle tours and bridge openings, ensuring you never miss a dramatic moment.

• Gastronomic Curation: We know the specific trattorias in the Old City where the mussels come directly from the Mar Piccolo farms.

Taranto is the Spartan Queen of the South—a city of two seas, three millennia, and infinite stories. It is where the grit of the present meets the gold of the past. Let ApuliaBella be your guide to the most misunderstood, yet most rewarding, city in the Ionian Gulf.