M.A.R.T.A. Taranto

The stunning Taranto is located in the “heel” of Italy (Puglia), in the Ionian arch, a place where the Mar Grande and the Mare Piccolo seas meet.

“Taras” is the toponym under which the city was named in antiquity: it derives from the Son of Poseidon, the God of the Seas ( in Taranto there are the remains of a temple dedicated to him).

Taranto is famous for its history, especially for the huge archaeological heritage of the Magna-Grecia culture in southern Italy, preserved in the National Archaeological Museum (MARTA).

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roman head at marta national archeological museum of taranto

gold crown at marta national archeological museum of taranto

roman sculpture at marta national archeological museum of taranto

Discover the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto

The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MARTA) is located in the former Convent of San Pasquale di Babylon, near the Gardens of Piazza Garibaldi in Taranto.

It contains one of the most important archaeological collections in Italy, consisting of more than 300 items from all ages.

In the museum can be found artifacts ranging from prehistory to the Middle Ages, during the colonization of Iapigi, Spartans, Greeks and Romans.

Not to be missed is the invaluable treasure of the “Ori of Taranto”, a true anthology of the Hellenistic age art with Romans’ sculptures and terracotta figures, utensils and goldsmiths of all kinds.

There can also be found Greek polychrome pottery, bones, ivory alongside burial crematorium of the Imperial age.

capital at marta national archeological museum of taranto

ancient sculptures at marta national archeological museum of taranto

sarcophagus room at marta national archeological museum of taranto

The uniqueness of Taranto

Taranto is one of the few cities where a bridge links the old city to the modern one.

The revolving bridge was inaugurated in 1887 and still is considered a great work of mechanical engineering.

While visiting Taranto, you must stop at the Doric columns.

These sculptures are dated back to the 6th century B.C. and belong to an ancient Spartan temple in front of the castle and the crystal-clear sea.

To know something more about it click here!

The Aragonese Castle of Taranto, also called the Castle of Saint Angel, is a spectacular castle facing the sea that became one of the best touristic attractions of Taranto.

The name Aragonese is due to the Aragon King Ferdinand I of Naples, who built this Castle to defend the area from the invasors.

Do you know that nowadays the Aragonese Castle of Taranto is the house of an Italian navy base?

Find out this and other curiosities here!

mosaic exposition at marta national archeological museum of taranto

greek vases at marta national archeological museum of taranto

Tips:

As we find out, Taranto is a unique Apulian pearl, a modern city full of surprises, culture, traditions and even a National Archaeological Museum.

If you want to discover something more about the Magna Grecia, the area in which Taranto lies, watch the video below done for the UNPLI Puglia!