Akropolis Hotel

Re: Taranto

by MikeStarr5

Taranto has a number of tourist sites of great historic value. Sitting along the Little Sea, you have the Aragonese Castle which was built in the 15th century with the intention to protect the town from the Turks' frequent raids. The castle replaced a pre-existing fort which was apparently deemed unfit for 15th century warfare.

The old town, including the lovely Piazza Fontana, Saint Domenico's church, Madonna della Salute Sanctuary, and a number of old palazzi, is fantastic and (not that I was around at the time) look exactly as it did a thousand years ago, when the Byzantines rebuilt what the Saracens had razed to the ground in 927 AC.

There are loads of picturesque alleyways, arches and stairwells, along with some of the old craftsmen's workshops

There are several Greek temple ruins, if you like that sort of thing - some date as far back as the 6th century BC - Have a look at the remains of a Doric Temple still visible on Piazza Castello.

A number of 18th-century palazzi can be fount in the town centre. For years, they were the main home of local aristocratic families.

The Ponte Girevole (swing bridge) was built in 1887 and runs across the navigable ship canal that joins Mar Piccolo (Little Sea) with Mar Grande (Big Sea) and stretches along 89.9 meters or 294.95 ft. During its opening, the two ends of the city are literally left without connection.

A really important institution of Taranto is the "Galileo Ferraris" high school,founded in 1848, located in via Mascherpa 10. This school is famous for his highly-developed level of instruction, because of its high quality level of teachers and students. Others schools are: IIS Archita, IIS Quito Ennio, IIS Aristosseno, and ITIS Pacinotti.

The Promenade (lungomare), named after former Italian king Victor Emmanuel III, overlooks the Mar Grande, with the imposing views of its natural harbour and commercial port.

Hope that helps - Have a nice stay in Taranto !