Introducing Taranto
Men in wellies selling fish on corners, a collapsing historic medieval centre and an industrial horror show (with the worst emissions in the country) – Taranto’s distinctive characteristics protect an interesting, rough heart.
Advertisement
The city has lately made the news for all the wrong reasons. The city administration collapsed in 2007 after €357 million disappeared.
This is all a far cry from Taranto’s glamorous history. Founded in the 7th century BC by exiles from Sparta, the city was christened Taras and became one of the wealthiest and most important colonies of Magna Graecia, with a peak population of 300,000. The fun finished, however, in the 3rd century BC when the Romans marched in, changed its name to Tarentum and set off a two-millennia decline in fortunes.
Taranto, along with La Spezia, is Italy’s major naval base, and the presence of young sailors is emblematic of a city that has always looked to the sea. Apparently the first cat landed on European shores here.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
RE: Naples to Bari- bahn.de trains different to trenitalia. help please!
by neckervd 11 June 2011
BTW: it would also be possible to leave Naples at 8.58 by IC train to either Potenza or Taranto and to proceed from there to Bari (ar…
-
RE: Naples to Bari- bahn.de trains different to trenitalia. help please!
by rossanddana 10 June 2011
and I also checked the raileurope website, which says it is a 9 hour train trip with a change in Taranto. :S :S Oh, and we are fairly…
-
RE: Calabria
by neckervd 10 May 2011
There are not many buses from Taranto. Check the timetables via Metaponto - Ferrandina too http://www.sitabus.it/sitapuglia/OrariPuglia/BAR…
In our shop
Bags feeling light?
Coffee table looking bare?
Get your guidebooks, travel goods, even individual chapters, right here.
Advertisement
