L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano New and ancient treasures in Taranto A m a r i t i m e t o w n o n t h e sunny shores of the Ionian Sea, Taranto is often overlooked by t o u r i s t s w h o f l o c k t o m o r e mainstream areas of Apulia, such as the Salento or Lecce. Still, Taranto, the third largest c o n t i n e n t a l c i t y i n S o u t h e r n Italy, has lots to offer when it comes to history, architecture and traditions that date back to t h e a n c i e n t G r e e k c u l t u r e . Spartans, attracted by the area's land, rich in water and very fer- tile, founded Taranto in 706 b.C. and signs of this ancient civilizations are still visible in the midst of wonderful land- scapes and gorgeous natural settings. The Aragonese Castle, also known as Castel Sant'Angelo, is a m u s t - s e e w h i l e v i s i t i n g Taranto: the main fortification in town, it marks the boundary between the old and the new part of the city.The fortress was designed in the late 15th centu- r y b y F r a n c e s c o d i G i o r g i o Martini, upon request of the Aragon King Ferdinand I of Naples, who wished for it for defensive purposes. Located on t h e s e a s h o r e t o o v e r l o o k Taranto's canal, it was built over an earlier Norman struc- ture, which was itself based on a stronghold that the Byzantines h a d c o n s t r u c t e d t o p r o t e c t t h e m s e l v e s a g a i n s t t h e Saracens. The Castle was used as a prison by the Habsburgs a n d t o d a y h o u s e s a n I t a l i a n Navy base, but is often opened t o g u i d e d t o u r s a n d u s e d t o stage exhibitions and events. For more information, opening t i m e s a n d v i s i t s c h e c k o u t http://www.castelloaragonese- taranto.com/ A walk through the old town i s t h e p e r f e c t w a y t o g e t t o know Taranto: worth a stop are Piazza Fontana, one of the city main squares, the church of San Domenico, the Madonna della Salute Sanctuary, and a number of old palazzos, standing still in their timeless beauty. The pic- turesque narrow alleyways, the a r c h e s a n d s t a i r w e l l s , a l o n g with the old crafts workshops, contribute to Taranto's unique atmosphere and make a stroll in this part of town an absolute pleasure. Those who are passionate about history and archeology s h o u l d c h e c k o u t t h e M u s e o Spartano - Iopgeo Bellacicco in Corso Vittorio Emanuele num- ber 39, an amazing museum that covers the history of Taranto from its founding through the following Bizantine, medieval and baroque eras. The stunning Cathedral of San Cataldo, Taranto's main church, was built in the 11th Century and houses the relics of the city's patron saint, one of its first bishops. The building was m o d i f i e d a n d r e f u r b i s h e d throughout the centuries and, today, features an impressive baroque façade with a cupola of B y z a n t i n e i n f l u e n c e . T h e church's mosaic floor and the chapel of San Cataldo where the saint's relics are preserved, are p e r f e c t l y p r e s e r v e d a s i s a superb series of frescoes dating from 1713 painted by Paolo de M a t t e i s . A s m a l l c r u c i f o r m byzantine-era crypt below the transept holds the tombs of sev- eral bishops of Taranto. Several archeological sites s c a t t e r e d a c r o s s t o w n h a v e brought to light ancient necrop- olis from the Greek-Spartan era that date back to the 7th century before Christ and are some of the best preserved in Italy. For a l i s t o f t h e s i t e s v i s i t http://www.museotaranto.it/tara nto_antica.htm A p u l i a i n g e n e r a l a n d Taranto in particular, are lands of great tradition also when it comes to gastronomy, featuring CHIARA ASSI rich flavors and fresh ingredi- ents. Wheat Altamura bread, A l e a t i c o , P r i m i t i v o a n d Negroamaro wines, and five d i f f e r e n t P D O o i l s a r e j u s t some examples of the amazing food and drinks visitors can try i n T a r a n t o . S e a f o o d i s , o f course, a staple; order the fresh- est at Ristò Fratelli Pesce, right in the heart of town: the tagliata di calamari is a playful take on the beef tagliata, prepared with locally caught squid instead. If you want to rub elbows with locals, stop by Il Mugnaio - open every day for lunch only- and order one of their fried spe- cialties and a cold beer or, if you prefer, one of their deli- cious pizzas. Wherever you go, m a k e s u r e y o u t r y l o c a l c h e e s e s : f r o m g o a t c h e e s e caprino to sharp caciocavallo to f a l l o n e d i G r a v i n a t h e y a r e some of the best in all of Italy. Taranto can be reached by airplane, flying with a charter o r l o w c o s t a i r l i n e i n t o Aeroporto Marcello Arlotta, about 10 miles from the town center. The city is also linked by train to Calabria, Bari and Brindisi or by car by taking the M a s s a f r a e x i t o n t h e A 1 4 Bologna - Taranto highway. The Castel Sant'Angelo of Taranto, better known as the Aragonese castle Cathedral of San Cataldo, Taranto Castel Sant'Angelo marks the boundary between the old and the new part of the city

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