Explore Taranto

The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto, known as MArTA, was founded in 1887 in the former 18th-century convent of San Pasquale. Its collections trace Taranto and Apulia from prehistory to the early Middle Ages, with Greek pottery and sculpture from Magna Graecia, Roman mosaics and the goldsmith's work known as the Gold of Taranto.

The Ponte Girevole, officially the Ponte di San Francesco di Paola, is a swing bridge across the navigable canal between Taranto's Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, linking the old town island with the new town. The present steel bridge opened in 1958; its two halves swing aside to let ships, including naval vessels, pass through the canal.

The Castello Aragonese, officially Castel Sant'Angelo, guards the navigable canal at the tip of Taranto's old town island. The present fortress with its round towers was rebuilt in 1487–1492 for King Ferdinand I of Naples, probably to a design by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The Italian Navy uses it and shows visitors round on guided tours.

Taranto Cathedral, dedicated to the city's patron Saint Cataldus, stands in the old town on its island. It was built by the Byzantines in the 10th century over a 5th-century church and is the oldest cathedral in Apulia. Its Baroque façade with statues dates from the early 18th century and is attributed to Mauro Manieri.