Taranto and Magna Graecia: the splendour of ancient Taras, the city of Archytas, its temples, culture and treasures. Discover the Greek soul of the city of the two seas.
History
Among all the Greek colonies of southern Italy, Taras — today's Taranto — held a special place: it was the only one founded by Sparta, and it became the richest and most powerful polis of Magna Graecia, that vast constellation of Greek cities which, from the Gulf of Taranto, shaped the civilisation of southern Italy.
Its position — a natural harbour sheltered between the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo — made it a naval and trading power, the reference point of the Hellenic world in the West, minting its own coinage and leading the Italiote League, the alliance of the Greek cities of the South.
What to see
The age of Archytas. Taranto's finest hour came in the fourth century BC with Archytas (428-347 BC), general, Pythagorean philosopher, mathematician and astronomer, friend of Plato who stayed here. Under his leadership Taranto was the most influential city of Magna Graecia. To Archytas tradition attributes the invention of the pulley and the screw, and even of a mechanical "dove", considered one of history's first attempts at automated flight.
A city of splendour. Ancient sources describe a magnificent Taras: temples, a great gymnasium (where the Archita secondary school stands today), an agora with a colossal bronze statue of Zeus 18 metres tall — the second largest of the Greek world after the Colossus of Rhodes — and an amphitheatre facing the sea where the Dionysian festivals were held.
The signs still visible. Of that greatness remain the columns of the Doric Temple in Piazza Castello, among the first stone buildings of the Greek West, and above all the treasures of the MArTA: the celebrated Gold of Taranto, masterpieces of Hellenistic goldsmithery, and thousands of finds narrating the refinement of the ancient Tarantines.
Did you know…
- Archytas is credited with inventing a mechanical flying 'dove', among the first automata in history.
- The bronze statue of Zeus in Taranto stood 18 metres tall: the second largest of the Greek world.
- Taranto led the Italiote League, the alliance of the Greek cities of southern Italy.
- After the Roman conquest, many of Taranto's artistic treasures were carried off to Rome.
Practical information
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| Getting there | The Magna Graecian legacy is discovered at the MArTA and among the vestiges of the Old Town, heart of the ancient acropolis. |
Tips for your visit
- The MArTA is the starting point: the Gold of Taranto tells of the Hellenistic splendour.
- Look for the Doric Temple in Piazza Castello, the only Greek architecture still standing.
- The Archita school stands where the ancient Greek gymnasium is thought to have been.