Italy: An Overnight in Taranto

Objective: Traverse the "sole" of the Italian Boot by train, traveling from the "heel" to the "toe" during daylight hours. The ideal starting point for this journey is Taranto, where we'll catch the 9:23 train to Reggio Calabria. We previously visited Taranto on a day trip from Martina Franca in 2016 to witness the Good Friday procession and explore the Archaeological Museum. See our blog post here. This time, we'll be staying overnight in the Borgo Antico (Old Town), an artificial island between two peninsulas that retains its circa 1000 AD street plan.

Heading to Taranto, we boarded the noon bus from Gallipoli, which stopped at the massive steel mill and iron foundry north of Taranto (presumably to drop off second-shift workers) before transporting us to the bus station. A colossal oil refinery also sits on Taranto's northern side.


A lone stone pine.


Worker Entrance to the Acciaierie d'Italia Steel Mill.


After settling into our hotel, we set out on a stroll through the medieval streets of the Old Town, encountering two ancient Doric columns and the robust walls of Castello Aragonese along the way.








The City Hall. Striking!


Then a pouring rain. Our umbrellas shielded us, and the main pedestrian street was lit with holiday lights, making the downpour bearable.




Dimly lit (1st below), the Duomo nonetheless revealed its vibrant hues – the colorful altar, mosaic panels, and ceiling frescoes."








Evening Mass at Chiesa di San Domenico


The next morning, we rose early and took a brief stroll along the Taranto waterfront from which one could see the vast shellfish farms in the bay. Then boarded the 9:23 train bound for Reggio Calabria and the ferry to Sicily.

Italy: Gallipoli, Galatina, and Nardo

During our stay in Gallipoli, we took a day trip by train to Galatina and Nardo. Gallipoli, a port town on the Ionian Sea, offered stunning sunsets and historic churches. The Church of Saint Mary of Purity stood out with its tile floor and colorful frescoes.

In Galatina, the Basilica di Santa Caterina d'Alessandria featured captivating biblical and historical frescoes telling stories of the past, showcasing the town's cultural heritage.

Nardo's highlight was the La Guglia dell'Immacolata, the Spire of the Immaculate Conception, an architectural masterpiece emphasizing the town's historical and religious significance.

Sun-Ling, with red backpack, boards the single car train at Otranto Station in which we will cross the "heel" of the Italian "boot" from east to west; Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea.


We pass another single car train and can spot the engineer+conductor.


Sun-Ling gets off the Train - Gallipoli Station


Walking to our apartment we pass the Art Deco-ish facade of Parrocchia del Sacro Cuore di Gesù. Very cool.


Gallipoli sits on a narrow headland with a bay to the north, a bay the the south, and a castle on its western tip. From our hotel balcony we can see both bays!




Church of Saint Mary of Purity.




The Christmas Market.




The fishing fleet, plus a few seafood markets and restaurants.




The Castle's interior is now a mall for tourists, but it still retains its picturesque exterior.








Looking back along the headland towards our hotel.




Sunset from the most western end of Gallipoli.






Daytrip to Galatina: Here is the Church of the Saints Peter and Paul in Galatina.


And a park with a War Memorial.


And the Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria with amazing 14-th century frescoes.




Check out the ceiling (1st below), Noah's Ark, and Adam and Eve (2nd), and more.










We changed trains at least twice at the un-staffed Nardo Centrale Station.




From Nardo Citta Station, it's a short stroll to the Spire of the Immaculate Conception.


Facade of Chiesa San Domenico.


And finally, the Christmas Market in Nardo.