Taranto

Legendary Foundation and Spartan Roots

The history of Taranto is unique as it is the only city founded by Spartans outside of Greece. The colony was established in 706 BC by a group of settlers known as the Partheniae, under the leadership of Phalanthus. The city's ancient name — Taras — dates back to Greek mythology and the name of the son of the sea god Poseidon, who, according to legend, arrived at these shores riding a dolphin.

Key Factors of Development

Several strategic advantages contributed to Taranto's transformation into one of the wealthiest and most powerful poleis of Magna Graecia:

• Geographical Location: The city was situated in a sheltered bay of the Ionian Sea, making it the most important seaport in the region.
• Unique Topography: The presence of two internal bodies of water — Mar Grande (Big Sea) and Mar Piccolo (Little Sea) — provided ideal conditions for the fleet and for fishing.
• Trade Dominance: Taranto controlled the sea routes between Greece and Southern Italy, becoming a key trade hub of antiquity.

Early Culture and Economy

During its Golden Age, Taranto became a center of luxury, science, and the arts:

• Economic Prosperity: The city's wealth was built on the production of high-quality wool, ceramics, and especially the precious Tyrian purple dye extracted from sea mollusks.
• Intellectual Flourishing: The city was home to outstanding thinkers, including the famous mathematician, philosopher, and strategist Archytas, a friend of Plato.
• Jewelry Arts: Taranto's craftsmen created exquisite gold jewelry, known as the "Gold of Taranto" (Ori di Taranto), which was famous throughout the Mediterranean for its delicacy and beauty.

Key Milestones in Taranto's History

• 706 BC — Foundation of the city by Spartan settlers led by the legendary Phalanthus.
• 4th Century BC — The "Golden Age" of Taranto and the reign of the eminent philosopher, mathematician, and strategist Archytas.
• 280 BC — The beginning of the Pyrrhic War, when the city called upon King Pyrrhus of Epirus for protection against Roman expansion.
• 272 BC — Final conquest of the city by the Roman Republic, ending the era of independence for Magna Graecia.
• 209 BC — Sacking of Taranto by Roman troops for supporting Hannibal during the Second Punic War.
• 927 AD — Near-total destruction of the city following a devastating Saracen raid.
• 967 AD — Restoration and fortification of the city by Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas.
• 1063 AD — Conquest of Taranto by the Normans led by Robert Guiscard, who turned the city into the capital of a principality.
• 1486 AD — Commencement of the construction of the powerful Aragonese Castle by order of King Ferdinand II to defend against the Ottoman fleet.
• 1861 AD — Incorporation of the city into the unified Kingdom of Italy.
• 1889 AD — Opening of the famous Swing Bridge (Ponte Girevole), which became a symbol of modern Taranto.
• 1940 AD — The "Night of Taranto," during which British carrier-based aircraft launched a surprise attack on the Italian fleet based in the harbor.
• 1960s — Commencement of large-scale industrialization in the region and construction of a major steel plant.

Byzantine Reconstruction (10th Century)

Following a devastating Saracen raid in 927 AD, Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas decided to rebuild the city, but with a significant urban planning change. Taranto was rebuilt exclusively on the island (the current Old City), turning it into an impregnable fortress. This decision defined the city's structure for centuries to come, dividing its history into periods "before" and "after" the confinement to the island.

Norman Rule and Capital Status (11th Century)

With the arrival of the Normans, the city became the capital of the Principality of Taranto — one of the most powerful feudal holdings in Southern Italy. During this period, the city experienced a cultural boom, becoming an important religious center. Construction began on the Cathedral of San Cataldo, which remains the oldest cathedral in Apulia and a symbol of the region's spiritual life.

Aragonese Fortification (15th Century)

In the late 15th century, under the threat of Ottoman invasion, King Ferdinand II of Aragon initiated a large-scale modernization of the defensive structures. A key project was the construction of the Aragonese Castle. To facilitate this, the natural canal separating the island from the mainland was widened, strengthening the city's naval importance and improving harbor defense.

Creation of the Naval Arsenal (Late 19th Century)

After the unification of Italy, the government chose Taranto as a strategic base for the national fleet. The construction of the Naval Arsenal (Arsenale Militare Marittimo) in the 1880s became the main economic driver. This transformed the city from a fishing center into an industrial and military hub, providing thousands of jobs and an influx of population.

The Birth of the "New Town" (Borgo Nuovo)

The construction of the Arsenal necessitated more housing. The city expanded beyond the island onto the mainland, where Borgo Umbertino was designed. This district is characterized by a regular rectangular layout, wide avenues, and monumental Liberty-style architecture, contrasting sharply with the labyrinthine streets of the Old City.

Opening of the Swing Bridge (1887)

An engineering marvel and symbol of the union between the two parts of the city — historical and modern — was the Ponte Girevole. The bridge not only connected the island to the mainland but also allowed large warships to pass from the Mar Grande bay into the inner Mar Piccolo basin, cementing Taranto's status as the unique "city of two seas."

20th Century Industrialization

In the 1960s, the city's economic profile changed radically again with the opening of the Italsider steel plant (later ILVA). Taranto became one of Europe's largest centers for the steel industry. This led to explosive population growth and the construction of new residential neighborhoods in the north, although it also created significant environmental challenges.

Architectural Appearance: A City of Two Faces

The urban structure of Taranto clearly divides the city into two contrasting parts, each representing its own architectural era. The historical center (Città Vecchia) on the island is a labyrinth of medieval streets, while the mainland "New Town" (Borgo Nuovo) showcases a regular grid layout from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Antiquity and Traces of Magna Graecia

Although modern development has hidden much of the ancient heritage, the spirit of ancient Taras is still alive in individual monuments.

• Doric Style: The most striking example is the Temple of Poseidon (6th century BC). The two surviving Doric columns in Piazza Castello are the oldest in Magna Graecia and serve as a silent reminder of the city's Spartan roots.
• Hypogea: Hidden beneath many palazzos in the old city are underground chambers from the Greco-Roman period, used as necropolises or oil mills.

The Middle Ages and Renaissance: Stone and Fortification

The island portion of the city was formed as an impregnable fortress, which determined the density of the buildings and the narrowness of the streets.

• Romanesque Style (with Byzantine influences): The foundation of the Cathedral of San Cataldo is an 11th-century Romanesque basilica. Despite later renovations, the interior has preserved ancient mosaics and capitals.
• Gothic: The Church of San Domenico Maggiore (14th century) displays features of Gothic architecture, though it was partially rebuilt. It is accessed by an impressive staircase, and the facade is decorated with a rose window.
• Military Renaissance: The Aragonese Castle (Castello Aragonese) is a masterpiece of fortification art from the late 15th century. Its powerful low towers were designed specifically to deflect artillery fire, which was an innovation for that time.

Baroque: Gold and Marble of the Old City

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the religious and secular architecture of Taranto flourished with the lush Baroque style characteristic of southern Italy.

• San Cataldo Facade: In the 18th century, the ancient cathedral received a new monumental Baroque facade, and inside, the magnificent Chapel of San Cataldo (Cappellone) was created, richly decorated with polychrome marble and frescoes.
• Noble Palazzos: Narrow streets hide majestic residences of the nobility, such as Palazzo Pantaleo and Palazzo d’Ayala Valva, with their elegant balconies and courtyards.

19th Century: Borgo Umbertino and Neoclassicism

With the city's expansion onto the mainland in the late 19th century, an era of wide avenues and a regular street grid began, inspired by the urban planning ideas of Haussmann's Paris.

• Umbertine Style (Eclecticism): This style, named after King Umberto I, dominates the New Town. The buildings are characterized by monumentality and a mix of Renaissance and Neoclassical elements. A prime example is the Palazzo degli Uffici.
• Liberty (Art Nouveau): In the early 20th century, the facades of some buildings were decorated with floral ornaments and flowing lines characteristic of Italian Art Nouveau.

20th Century: Rationalism and Monumentalism

The 1930s era left a noticeable mark on Taranto in the form of the strict architecture of the Fascist period, intended to demonstrate the power of the state.

• Palazzo del Governo: A massive building with a characteristic semi-circular shape ("Rotonda") overlooking the waterfront. It is built in the style of monumental Rationalism and resembles a fortress.
• Palazzo delle Poste: The main post office building is another classic example of Italian Rationalism with its clean lines and functionality.

Legendary and Historical Figures of Taranto

The history of the city is inextricably linked with the names of great thinkers, rulers, and creators who made Taranto famous far beyond the borders of Italy.

• Phalanthus (8th century BC)
  Role: Spartan aristocrat, founder of the city.
  Significance: According to legend, he led a group of Partheniae settlers from Sparta and founded ancient Taras in 706 BC. His image is immortalized on the city's ancient coins, shown riding a dolphin.
• Archytas of Taras (428–347 BC)
  Role: Pythagorean philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, and statesman.
  Significance: Taranto's most famous ruler, under whom the city reached the peak of its power. He is considered the founder of mathematical mechanics and was a close friend of Plato. He is credited with inventing the first flying automaton — a wooden dove.
• Livius Andronicus (c. 284–204 BC)
  Role: Poet, playwright, and translator.
  Significance: A Greek from Taranto who was taken to Rome as a prisoner. By translating Homer's "Odyssey" into Latin, he effectively became the father of Roman literature and laid the foundations for Latin epic poetry.
• Bohemond I of Taranto (c. 1054–1111)
  Role: Prince of Taranto, military commander.
  Significance: A prominent Norman leader and one of the primary commanders of the First Crusade. His name made the title of Prince of Taranto famous and respected throughout medieval Europe and the Middle East.
• Giovanni Paisiello (1740–1816)
  Role: Classical era composer.
  Significance: One of the most influential opera composers of his time and a representative of the Neapolitan school. His talent was in demand at the courts of Catherine II in St. Petersburg and Napoleon Bonaparte in Paris.
• Mario Costa (1904–1995)
  Role: Film director and screenwriter.
  Significance: A master of genre cinema, known for his musical films and adventure pictures. He made a significant contribution to the development of Italian cinema in the mid-20th century.
• Roberta Vinci (born 1983)
  Role: Professional tennis player.
  Significance: One of the most successful contemporary Italian athletes. She is a Career Grand Slam winner in doubles and a 2015 US Open singles finalist.