Taranto's Città Vecchia (Old City) occupies a small island between the Mare Grande (the open Ionian Sea) and the Mare Piccolo (an inner lagoon), connected to the modern city by two bridges and sharing the same footprint as the ancient Greek city of Taras — one of the wealthiest colonies of Magna Graecia, founded in 706 BC. The island is one of Italy's most historically layered urban sites and one of the most economically challenged, presenting a compelling landscape of decaying Baroque palazzi, active churches, and working-class neighbourhoods undergoing gradual renewal. The Cathedral of San Cataldo, Taranto's principal church, dates in its current form to the 11th century (Norman construction) but conceals a Byzantine crypt of the 8th century beneath the nave, with fragments of early mosaic flooring and original column capitals — one of the oldest surviving Christian spaces in southern Italy. The Cathedral's main facade was remodelled in Baroque style in the 18th century. The Aragonese Castle at the northern tip of the island frames the approach across the swing bridge and is a military facility not open to independent visitors. The old town is being gradually restored with EU-funded investment, with the Via di Mezzo and Piazza Fontana areas significantly improved in recent years. The most powerful visitor experience, beyond the Cathedral crypt, is walking the seafront walls — particularly the southern Lungomare Vittorio Emanuele III — where views over the Ionian open sea are unobstructed. The morning fish market on the Mare Piccolo side at Piazza Portanova is one of the most vivid and animated in Apulia, operating before 09:00.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Always accessible |
| Typical visit | 1.5–2 hours |
| Best time | Morning before the heat; Carnival in February |
| Getting there | Train from Bari: 1h 30 min (€10); car: 95 km south-west of Bari |
| Address | Isola di Taranto, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy |
Weather through the year in Italy
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Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Italy.
Location
Isola di Taranto, 74123 Taranto TA, Italy
40.4648, 17.2470 View on map
Highlights
- Cathedral crypt of San Cataldo: 8th-century Byzantine space with mosaic floor fragments and original column capitals beneath the Norman cathedral
- Island location between two seas: the old town sits on the footprint of ancient Taras, surrounded by water on all sides
- Lungomare seafront walk on the island's southern edge with unobstructed Ionian Sea views
- Morning fish market at Piazza Portanova on the Mare Piccolo lagoon side — one of the most animated in Apulia
Tips for visiting
- Visit the Cathedral crypt early in the morning — the 8th-century Byzantine space is the most historically significant element of the old town
- Walk the full seafront circuit of the island (approximately 2 km) for views over both the Mare Piccolo lagoon and the open Ionian
- The fish market at Piazza Portanova is most active before 08:00 — arriving early provides the most atmospheric experience
- Combine the old town with MArTA (National Archaeological Museum, 15 minutes on foot across the bridge) for a full day in Taranto
- The Aragonese Castle is a military installation and closed to independent visitors — view it from across the bridge approach
When to visit
Early morning for the fish market at Piazza Portanova and the Cathedral crypt before tourist groups arrive. February for the distinctive local Carnival procession. Avoid midday in July–August.
Accessibility
The island streets are largely flat as the terrain is low-lying. The Cathedral main floor is accessible at ground level, but the crypt involves stairs. The Lungomare seafront walk is flat and accessible. The swing bridge from the modern city is accessible for wheelchairs.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Taranto old town safe to visit?
The old town is undergoing gradual regeneration and is generally safe to visit during the day. Some sections remain visually stark due to ongoing decay and regeneration work. Guided tours provide historical context and local familiarity.
How long does a visit to Taranto Città Vecchia take?
The Cathedral, crypt, seafront walk, and main streets can be covered in 1.5–2 hours. Adding the fish market and broader exploration of the island lanes makes for a 2.5–3 hour visit.
What is the Cathedral crypt of San Cataldo?
The crypt beneath Taranto Cathedral dates to the 8th century and retains fragments of Byzantine mosaic flooring and original column capitals, making it one of the oldest surviving Christian sacred spaces in southern Italy.