Via per Martina Franca, 7100, Taranto

The cluster sits inside the urban and port landscape of Taranto, located on the narrow peninsula and isthmus between the Mar Grande and the Mar Piccolo, arms of the Gulf of Taranto (Ionian Sea). The old town occupies an island connected to the mainland and contains the Aragonese castle and dense historic fabric. The coastal zone is dominated by a commercial port, naval base and shipyard facilities. One of Europe’s largest steelworks (the former ILVA complex) and associated industrial infrastructure lie in the municipal area and shape the coastal skyline. The Mar Piccolo supports active fishing and mussel-farming (cozze) operations. Within about 15 km the terrain is a low-lying coastal plain with agricultural land (olive groves and other crops) and some small seaside settlements and beaches. There are no mountain ranges or ski areas within the immediate 15 km radius. The area has been the subject of industrial pollution and remediation efforts in recent years.