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Home > Travel Italy > Italy Destinations > Manduria
Manduria
Italy, officially the Italian Republic or Repubblica Italiana, is a Southern European country comprising of the Po River valley, the Italian Peninsula and the two largest islands in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily and Sardinia. It is shaped like a boot and for this reason Italians commonly call it lo Stivale, the boot or, due to its prevalent peninsular geographical nature, la Penisola, the Peninsula.
Manduria is a city of Apulia, Italy, in the province of Taranto. It is located 35 km east of Taranto, 90 meters above sea-level, and 14 km north of the coast. This community was a vital stronghold of the Messapii against Tarentum. Archidamus III, king of Sparta, fell underneath its walls in 338 BC, while leading the army of the latter. It revolted to Hannibal, but was stormed by the Romans in 209 BC.
The town was ruined by the Saracens in the 10th century. The inhabitants settled themselves on the site of the current town, at first called Casalnuovo, which resumed the old name in 1700. Manduria is a lovely town of Messapian origins and it keeps several traces of its proud past. Today it is an important wine and oil producer with a decent appearance. The heart of the town is Piazza Garibaldi where the XVIIIth century Palazzo Imperiali stands. It has a monumental portal and an iron wrought balcony running across the front wall. The ruins of cyclopean walls are the testimony of the bitter wars that opposed Manduria to Taranto.
A city known for its historic myths and traditions, scenic beauty, cooperative people and luxurious hotels and cottages, Manduria is one of the favorite holiday destinations for most of the vacation lovers.
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