Discovering Taranto: A Timeless Journey Through History and Culture
Taranto, a city steeped in history and bathed in the warm glow of the Ionian sun, offers a unique blend of ancient heritage and Mediterranean beauty. Known as the City of the Two Seas, Taranto is a place where the past and present coexist harmoniously, inviting visitors to explore its rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural splendor.
A Walk Through Time: Iconic Landmarks
Begin your journey by crossing the famous Swing Bridge, an engineering marvel that connects the old town island to the modern city. As you step onto the island, you’ll be greeted by the imposing Aragonese Castle, a symbol of Taranto’s fortified past. This majestic fortress, perched at the island’s tip, offers breathtaking views of the Mar Grande and stands as a testament to the city’s strategic importance throughout history.
For history enthusiasts, the MArTA – National Archaeological Museum of Taranto is a must-visit. This world-renowned museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts from the era of Magna Graecia, showcasing the city’s Spartan heritage and its evolution through the ages. Among its treasures are exquisite gold artifacts that narrate the story of ancient Taras, the city’s original name.
In the heart of the historic center, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cataldo the Bishop stands as the oldest cathedral in Puglia. Its Baroque façade contrasts beautifully with its ancient interior, offering a glimpse into the architectural evolution that characterizes Taranto.
Another architectural gem is the San Francesco di Paola Bridge, commonly known as the Swivel Bridge. This engineering feat not only connects the old and new parts of the city but also serves as a reminder of Taranto’s maritime heritage, linking the Mar Grande with the Mar Piccolo.
Don’t miss the Doric Temple in Piazza Castello, the oldest architectural remnant of Magna Graecia in Puglia. This ancient Temple of Poseidon offers a window into the religious practices of the past.
The Old Town of Taranto, with its labyrinthine alleys, crumbling noble palaces, and charming squares, is the city’s historic heart. Here, you can wander through time and experience the authentic atmosphere that defines Taranto.
For a unique underground experience, visit the Spartan Hypogeum Museum of Taranto. This hidden gem, located below sea level, reveals the city’s subterranean secrets and offers a fascinating glimpse into its ancient past.
In the modern part of the city, the Gran Madre di Dio Co-Cathedral stands as a testament to contemporary religious architecture. Designed by the renowned architect Gio Ponti in 1970, this striking structure is a symbol of Taranto’s architectural diversity.
Off the coast, the Cheradi Islands, consisting of San Pietro and San Paolo, offer a protected natural oasis. These islands are perfect for a day trip, providing a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Culinary Delights: A Taste of Taranto
Taranto’s cuisine is a celebration of its maritime roots and Apulian farming traditions. The city’s culinary identity is best captured by the ‘I quattro Re dei Primi’, a quartet of iconic first courses that showcase the region’s flavors.
Taranto mussels are the city’s culinary pride, known for their sweetness and flavor. Enjoy them prepared in various styles, from the simple ‘a ‘mpepata’ with pepper and lemon, to the baked ‘a’ arragatanedda’ with breadcrumbs and cheese, or stuffed with eggs and cooked in tomato sauce.
Tubettini with Mussels is a comforting dish where short pasta absorbs the rich flavors of mussel broth, cherry tomatoes, and parsley.
For a traditional experience, try Octopus alla pignata, where octopus is slow-cooked in a terracotta pot with tomatoes and onions until tender.
The land’s bounty is celebrated in dishes like Orecchiette with turnip greens, a classic Apulian pasta often enhanced with anchovies and chili, and Fave e fogghie, a creamy fava bean purée served with wild chicory.
Street food lovers will delight in the Puccia Tarantina, a soft bread roll filled with cured meats or seafood, and Fried panzerotti, dough discs stuffed with mozzarella and tomato.
For a taste of local tradition, savor Horse meat chunks in sauce, a dish slow-cooked in a spiced tomato sauce, popular in the region.
End your meal with sweet treats like Cartellate and Sannacchiudde, fried pastries glazed with vincotto or honey, and pair them with a glass of Primitivo di Manduria, a robust red wine from the province.
LGBTQIA+ History and Safety
Taranto’s LGBTQIA+ history is deeply rooted in its past, dating back to its founding by the Spartans in 706 B.C. In ancient times, homoerotic relationships were an accepted part of society, celebrated in art and mythology. Today, Taranto continues to be a hub for civil rights, hosting events like the 2016 regional Pride under the slogan Two Seas of Rights, emphasizing both LGBTQIA+ pride and social justice.
In terms of safety, Taranto is generally welcoming to LGBTQIA+ travelers. While traditional values persist, especially in more conservative areas, the city is largely open and tolerant. The historic center and popular nightlife spots offer a relaxed atmosphere, and several accommodations are explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly. The nearby Spiaggia del Conte d’Ayala is a well-known gay-friendly beach, providing a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors.
More about Taranto
Nestled between two seas and bathed in the Ionian sun, TARANTO is a millennia-old gem where Spartan heritage blends with the untamed beauty of the Mediterranean.
Crossing the navigable canal on the famous Swing Bridge is like stepping back in time, as you let yourself be captivated by the charming alleys of the old town and the imposing silhouette of the Aragonese Castle overlooking the waters.
Here, the sea is not just a backdrop, but the very soul of the city: you can feel it during sunset strolls and savor it in dishes of Taranto-style mussels and the freshest catch.
With the treasures of the MArTA—one of the world’s most important archaeological museums, home to its legendary gold artifacts—and the authentic charm of its two harbor basins, TARANTO offers profound emotions to anyone seeking an authentic Puglia rich in history. A trip here is an intimate and vibrant experience, filled with sincere warmth and glimpses that stay with you forever.
Taranto boasts a first-rate historical, archaeological, and cultural heritage. From Magna Graecia to the Middle Ages, through to contemporary architecture, here are the must-see sites to include in your itinerary:
Aragonese Castle
It is the city’s fortified symbol, located at the tip of the island where the old town stands, guarding the navigable channel. The fortress overlooks the waters of the Mar Grande and offers a spectacular panoramic view.
MArTa - National Archaeological Museum of Taranto
It is one of the most important and prestigious archaeological museums in the world for its documentation of the history of Magna Graecia. Its collection features masterpieces that chronicle ancient Taras from its Spartan founding.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Cataldo the Bishop
Located in the heart of the historic center, it is the oldest cathedral in all of Puglia. The contrast between the Baroque façade and the interior structure makes it a fascinating and unique monument.
San Francesco di Paola Bridge
Commonly known as the Swivel Bridge, it is the engineering marvel that connects the Old Town island to the modern part of the city (Borgo Nuovo). Dug to protect the city, the canal below connects the Mar Grande with the Mar Piccolo.
Doric Temple
Located in Piazza Castello, the ancient Temple of Poseidon is the oldest architectural remnant of Magna Graecia in Puglia.
Old Town
The Old Town island is the historic heart of Taranto, characterized by a maze of narrow alleys, dilapidated noble palaces, and charming little squares.
Spartan Hypogeum Museum of Taranto
This hypogeum extends through the underground levels of the Old Town below sea level. It is a magical place where you can discover the hidden side of Taranto.
Gran Madre di Dio Co-Cathedral
Located in the modern part of the city, it is an extraordinary example of contemporary religious architecture designed by the renowned architect Gio Ponti in 1970.
Cheradi Islands
This small archipelago, consisting of the islands of San Pietro and San Paolo, lies off the Gulf of Taranto and is a protected natural oasis.
The history of the LGBTQIA+ community and culture in TARANTO spans from classical antiquity to the activist movements of today:
ROOTS IN MAGNA GRAECIA AND THE SPARTAN HERITAGE
TARANTO (Taras) was the only colony founded directly by the Spartans in 706 B.C.
In the Doric and Spartan society of that era, homoerotic relationships between men (and, in educational contexts, between an older “erastes” and a younger “eromenos”) were not only not stigmatized but constituted an institutionalized component of civic and military training.
Throughout Magna Graecia, the emotional and romantic bond between people of the same sex was celebrated in art, mythology, and ceramic vases, many of which are now preserved in the region’s archaeological museums.
THE MODERN MOVEMENT AND “TWO SEAS OF RIGHTS”
In recent decades, TARANTO has become an active hub for civil rights in Puglia:
In July 2016, the city hosted the regional Pride event under the impactful slogan “Two Seas of Rights,” playing on the city’s iconic nickname. The event linked LGBTQIA+ pride to the social struggle for health and environmental protection—a deeply felt cause in the region.
Over the years, local organizations have opened counseling centers, promoted initiatives in schools, and organized events to combat homotransphobia and prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
In 2015, Lello Serio (a native of Massafra, in the province of Taranto) won the title of “Italy’s Most Handsome Gay Man,” using the visibility of the contest to bring the issues of civil unions and same-sex parenting to the attention of the national media.
If you’re in Taranto, the local cuisine is an experience not to be missed—closely tied to the sea and Apulian farming traditions.
Here are the iconic dishes and specialties you absolutely must try:
SEAFOOD CLASSICS
Taranto mussels
They’re the true symbol of the city, renowned for being particularly sweet and flavorful. Try them prepared in every way:
A ‘mpepata (peppered style, very simple with pepper and lemon).
A’ arragatanedda (baked au gratin with breadcrumbs, oregano, and cheese).
Stuffed mussels (filled with eggs, cheese, and bread, then cooked in tomato sauce).
Raw Seafood
If you love raw seafood, Taranto mussels are also traditionally eaten raw, right after they’re shucked.
Tubettini with Mussels
A classic and comforting first course, where the short pasta soaks up all the flavor of the mussel broth, cherry tomatoes, and parsley.
Octopus alla pignata
Octopus slowly cooked in a traditional terracotta pot (*pignata*) with tomatoes, onions, parsley, and sometimes potatoes, until it becomes very tender.
Seafood risotto / Linguine with scampi or sea urchins
The freshness of the catch of the day makes any seafood first course exceptional in the restaurants of the historic center.
FROM THE LAND’S TRADITION
Orecchiette with turnip greens
An unmissable Apulian classic, often flavored with an anchovy fillet and a pinch of chili pepper.
Fave e fogghie (Fava bean purée with wild chicory)
A simple dish from the peasant tradition, delicious and creamy, dressed with a drizzle of local extra-virgin olive oil.
STREET FOOD AND SNACKS
Puccia Tarantina
A leavened bread roll, soft on the inside and crispy on the outside, traditionally filled with hearty ingredients (cured meats, cheeses, vegetables preserved in oil, or even seafood)
Fried panzerotti
Thin discs of dough stuffed with tomato and mozzarella (or variations with meat or turnip greens) and fried to order.
Horse meat chunks in sauce
Also very common in the neighboring province and in Salento, these are small pieces of horse meat slowly stewed in a rich, spiced tomato sauce.
DESSERTS AND WINE
Cartellate (during the Christmas season) and Sannacchiudde
Fried pastries glazed with fig or grape vincotto, or honey
Primitivo di Manduria
To accompany your meal, don’t forget to order a glass of this famous full-bodied and enveloping red wine, produced right here in the province of Taranto.
Generally speaking, TARANTO is a safe city for LGBTQIA+ people and travelers, located in a region—Puglia—considered one of the most open and welcoming in Southern Italy.
There are no particular public order or physical safety issues related to sexual orientation, but it is helpful to consider the local context from a couple of perspectives:
In terms of personal safety and crime, TARANTO poses no specific dangers to queer tourists or residents. As in many medium-sized Italian cities in the South, the social fabric of daily life remains partly rooted in traditional values, so explicit displays of affection in public (especially away from central or youth-oriented areas) may sometimes attract stares or curiosity, but rarely lead to hostile incidents.
In the historic center (Borgo Antico), along the main street, and in the nightlife spots popular with young people, the atmosphere is relaxed, informal, and tolerant. Furthermore, several accommodations in the Taranto area are explicitly LGBTQ+ friendly.
In the surrounding province, the coastline offers famous gay-friendly and naturist gathering spots for the Apulian community, including the well-known Spiaggia del Conte d’Ayala in Campomarino di Maruggio.
In summary, by exercising the usual caution one would in any unfamiliar city, you can visit or live in Taranto with complete peace of mind.