Taranto

Taranto is located in southeastern region of Italy in Apulia. Taranto is rather important trade and commercial port and the main naval base of Italy

History of this settlement dates back to the 8th century BC, when Greek founded a colony on a peninsula on the bay of the Mediterranean Sea. Its sea-coasts are very suitable for using it as a military base, commercial port and even fishing. Due to this city was rapidly developing and boisterous trough all the centuries.

The name of the city goes from Taras, who is a mythology hero son of the Greek sea god Poseidon and of the nymph Satyrion. It is believed that Taras founded the city after the episode when he was successfully saved by a dolphin that was sent to him by Poseidon from a shipwreck. And Taras astride the dolphins back is a symbol of the city. Another legend says that the city was founded by a divine hero Heracles.

In ancient time Taranto was an important center of art. Painting and pottery industry were especially highly developed. And the Darius Painter, the Underworld Painter, and the White Sakkos Painter are painters which works were found in Taranto. They are famous for their unique style.

Taranto is full of monuments of historic value. They are Aragonese Castle was built in the 15th century, Piazza Fontana, Saint Domenico's church, Madonna della Salute Sanctuary, Greek temple ruins still visible on Piazza Castello and others.