Taranto and its two seas between history and flavors
Taranto, the City of Two Seas, offers unique experiences between sea and culture.
Why is Taranto called the "City of Two Seas"?
Taranto earns this nickname due to its unique position between two bodies of water: the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo. The Mar Grande opens directly onto the Gulf of Taranto and the Ionian Sea, while the Mar Piccolo is an internal brackish lagoon, separated by two bays and some islands. This particular geographical configuration makes Taranto a fascinating city, distinct from all others in Southern Italy. Strolling along the waterfront, tourists can witness the contrast between the two seas, truly feeling they are in a special place.
What to see in the Mar Grande of Taranto?
The Mar Grande is the commercial and military heart of the city. Here you can find the port, merchant ships, and the Navy base. But it’s not just industrial activity: from the Vittorio Emanuele III waterfront, the view of the Mar Grande at sunset is one of the most beautiful sights in Taranto. Tourists can walk along the docks, observe the boats, and stop at seaside cafes. It’s a simple yet authentic experience that allows one to perceive the daily life of the city.
Why is the Mar Piccolo of Taranto so famous?
The Mar Piccolo of Taranto is known for its unique natural characteristics. Here, a centuries-old tradition is born: mussel farming. The sea is fed by underground freshwater springs, called citri, which create an ideal environment for the growth of mussels. The mussels from Taranto are considered among the tastiest in Italy, and for tourists, tasting them fresh at a local trattoria is an unmissable experience. Many visitors choose to take boat excursions on the Mar Piccolo to closely observe the farms, breathing in the brackish air and discovering an authentic part of Taranto's culture.
What is the most authentic experience between Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo?
The most authentic experience is to let oneself be guided by contrasts. On one side, the Mar Grande with its port and the opening towards the infinite Ionian Sea. On the other, the Mar Piccolo, intimate and quiet, with its calm waters and fishermen who every morning set their nets. Walking on the Swing Bridge, which connects the old city with the new one, means literally finding oneself between the two seas: on one side the breath of the Mar Grande, on the other the embrace of the Mar Piccolo. It’s a moment that many tourists remember for a long time.
What to eat in Taranto related to the Two Seas?
The symbolic dish is undoubtedly the Taranto mussel. In the restaurants and trattorias of the historic center, tourists can enjoy it in a thousand variations: raw with a drop of lemon, in the classic gratinated mussels, in the tiella of rice, potatoes, and mussels. Eating these specialties on-site means directly savoring the deep bond between the city and its two seas.
Why visiting Taranto for its two seas is a unique experience in Puglia?
In Puglia, there are many coastal cities, but only Taranto offers the feeling of being suspended between two different seas. Walking through the alleys of the old town, stopping at panoramic points, crossing the bridge, taking a boat ride: every moment becomes a direct experience that unites nature, history, and tradition. Those who visit Taranto do not just look at the sea: they live it, feel it, and breathe it, in two different but complementary forms.
