Right on the waterfront in Taranto we wandered across the moat into the courtyard. There wasn't a…read morefee, but we were asked to sign a release before going inside. We peeked inside rooms from the main courtyard, Visiting the barracks, kitchen, and lots of ruins seeing broken pottery and coins. The castle was built on the site of an older fortifications dating back to Greek occupation in the 3rd & 4th centuries BC. In 1481 the low ground in front of the fortification site was excavated to allow the passage of boats, & to create a moated defensive position. The present fortress was built for the then-king of Naples, Ferdinand II of Aragon in 1496 to reinforce the naturally low-lying link between the old town of Taranto on a peninsula, and the mainland.

Definitely worth a visit to see this man's 3 year project. It's a beautiful work of art that…read moreshould be appreciated.

Must go when in Puglia! Visiting La Cantina Frrud was one of our Italy trip highlights. What a gem…read moreof a place! Paolo and Donato have impeccably restored this wine cellar that allows one to relive wine making years ago. Our children enjoyed the tour as much as we did and the tasting was fantastic. We brought home a couple of bottles of their wonderful wine and will be ordering more soon! Don't miss scheduling a tour when in or near Altamura, specially if you're a wine enthusiast. We loved it!

This is actually two things to do here. The museo (museum)…read moreand Archeologico Nazionale E. Parco. The ticket for either or both is in the ticket room with books and games to buy and the only Toilet. The Roman Ruins are a ten minute walk to the other entrance booth to check your ticket. we bought a 6 month ticket for one euro difference additional each so we might return once more over the next 3 days. The Roman and older ruins are open to visit from behind a chain. It took us about 45 minutes or more to do the loop. Then we did the Museum, which was superior, all in Italian descriptions except the orientation video. You can do a QR code each time but i hate those for the english translations. There is a big aquarium tank with a big jar to imitate the sea and anchors and many Amphore clay jars or vases. Lots of found pottery, statues and shards. All recovered from the Roman digs and the sea we had just come back from. The digs were unearthed/ opened in 1910 or so and again in 1960 or so but then left alone. Maybe money. After everything , we went to where the Romans or Greeks went to the Sea edge and dug rectangular and round fish traps in the coral. Tide comes in, fish as well , tide goes out fish are stuck behind. There are dozens, here you can just walk around. Still here in the sea working after 2000 years or more. incredible history.

Amazing visit. Fascinating ruins and great museum. Well worth the detour if you are a history lover.read more