you are in:
Itineraries and tours | Archeological | Magna Graecia and Messapia
An itinerary that follows the footsteps of the Messapian and the Magna Graecia in the Salento area.
Egnazia Archaeological Park, Fasano (Brindisi): the park consists of numerous archaeological finds of the ancient city of Gnathia, situated in a strategic position overlooking the sea and along the ancient road connecting Bari and Brindisi. The city walls originally protected only the city from the hinterland, but later they were extended along the coast. Outside the city walls, there is the Messapian necropolis. Inside the city walls, however, were found some pre-Roman tombs. At the foot of the acropolis there is a system of arcades and the monumental center of the city, the civil basilica, the sacellum of Eastern Gods, the "so-called" amphitheater, the Forum. The archaeological museum is located outside the city walls.
Column on the Via Appia, Brindisi: the Roman column, located in the port of Brindisi and symbol of the city, is the remains of two Roman columns built in the II century AD. It is thought to have been built to mark the end of the Appian Way. Made of Turkish marble, today only one column still stand and is made of eight drums and has an height of 18.74 meters. It is topped by a Corinthian capital with acanthus leaves, heads of divinity, and eight tritons. The second column fell in 1528 and was subsequently moved in Piazza Santo Oronzo in Lecce; only the base is still visible in Brindisi.
Roman Amphitheatre, Lecce: the amphitheater is built part in the rock and part is made of arches supported by tufa (local limestone) columns. The building was originally equipped with a double row of stands, of which now remains only the lower one. The elliptical arena is separated from the stands by a wall with a marble frieze depicting hunting scenes, which were held in the amphitheater.
Archaeological Park, Alezio (Lecce): the archaeological park, next to the Messapian Museum, host some Messapian graves found during some excavations works in the area.
Messapian Walls Archaeological Park, Manduria (Taranto): in the territory of Manduria, which was a thriving Messapian center, there is the archaeological park, which is bordered by two city walls. The Plinian Fountain (Fonte Pliniano), which is the symbol of Manduria and is even represented in the coat of arms, is mentioned by Pliny the Elder for its constant supply of water. The surrounding area bears traces of human settlements dating from the VI century BC. In the park, it is also possible to visit the church of San Pietro Mandurino. The necropolis is located outside the city walls and is the most extensive in the region. It hosts 1284 graves, which cover a period of time that ranges from the VI to the II century BC.
MarTa, National Archaeological Museum, Taranto: the Museum was established in 1887 by the will of the archaeologist L. Viola, who wanted to create a Magna Graecia museum. In fact, today the museum, according to precise scientific guidelines, is home to the archaeological exhibition about the city of Taranto. Taranto is then the focus of the entire exhibition, its history, its evolution, its culture learned through the artifacts found in the territory.
No reviews for this tour
