The nature reserve of Torre Guaceto

Torre Guaceto is a symbol of the environmental cause.

It is a nature reserve since the 1981.

Torre Guaceto is place which includes a wetland, a mediterranean scrub, an archeological area and more, much more.

It is a pleasure go to the beach there. It is like to be in a natural resort. 

There is plenty of space. The sea is marvellous, clean and transparent.

While swimming, you will notice fishes gathering underneath you.

Torre Guaceto has Mediterranean scrub all over the place. Therefore, the air is fresh and balsamic.

I have realized that most of people who visit Torre Guaceto come either from the north of Italy or abroad. 

Therefore, this is a place where people come on purpose.

Parking there costs 5 euros. The cost of the ticket covers the shuttle service though.

2 miles far from the parking area there is a tower, used over the past centuries to patrol the costs.

The Apulian cost counts dozens of towers like this, which at the time were connected each other, like the current satellites.

The Saracens have been a threat for centuries in Apulia. The echo of their raids still occurs in our spoken language. We say: “Mamma li turchi!”

Torre Guaceto is ideal for nudists. I can confirm it.

Torre Guaceto has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Ruins and signs of past civilizations are spread around the entire area.

A tomato (“pomodoro fiaschetto”) typical of Torre Guaceto was almost disappeared. 

However Slow food advises that a peasant there has re-introduced this kind tomato, preserving in this way the biodiversity.

The "pomodoro fiaschetto" recalls me a motto said in my hometown: Pen e pommdor, mett sang e color. In English could be translated by saying: bread with tomatoes is a very healthy food.

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Taranto, the Spartan city

I have travelled a lot accross Apulia. However, I have never been in Taranto.

That's a shame, I acknowledge it.

The 5th of July, me and Lucia get on our small car and head to Taranto.

Taranto is a city rich of history, with a glorious past. It was founded by the Spartans in 706 century BC.





A fascinating legend goes that Taras, the son of Poseidon and of the nimph Satyrion, arrived in the harbour of Taranto riding a dolphin. The flag of Taranto city seems to agree with the myth.







Taranto soon became strong and rich. After several wars, it turned into the capital of Magna Grecia.


We have one day to spend in Taranto, so we decide to visit firstly the MARTA (Archeological Museum of Taranto); then, Taranto vecchia.

Taranto vecchia (literally "old Taranto") is ancient core of the city. This is the oldest part of Taranto, accessible from the rest of the city just by a revolving bridge.

After having parked the car, we walk along the main road, which leads us to the ruin of Doric Greek temple.

Taranto vecchia is very much different from the rest of Taranto. People there belongs mainly to the working class. It is the fishermen's quarter.










The kids play in large number along the narrow streets. The shadow of the ILVA's factory looms over them.

Taranto vecchia is plenty of old buildings and churches.

Some of them are abandoned, still untouched though.

From my point of view, the relaunch of the city goes through the regeneration of Taranto vecchia.

This part of the city has a great potential.

The sun is setting. We begin to feel tired.

It is time to have dinner, so we stop by a seafood restaurant to eat mussels, one of the symbol of Taranto.















The next post will deal with the MARTA, the Archeological Museum of Taranto.

The Museum has been renewed since a couple of years.

The artifacts displayed there are unique.

See you soon

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