Castellaneta
—  Comune  —
Comune di Castellaneta
View of the historical centre.
Castellaneta Location of Castellaneta in Italy
Coordinates: 40°38′N 16°56′E / 40.633°N 16.933°E / 40.633; 16.933Coordinates: 40°38′N 16°56′E / 40.633°N 16.933°E / 40.633; 16.933
Country	Italy
Region	Puglia
Province	Taranto (TA)
Frazioni	Marina di Castellaneta, Gaudella
Government
- Mayor	Italo D'Alessandro
Area
- Total	239 km2 (92.3 sq mi)
Elevation	245 m (804 ft)
Population (31 December 2007)
- Total	17,254
- Density	72.2/km2 (187/sq mi)
- Demonym	Castellanetani
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	74011
Dialing code	099
Patron saint	St. Nicholas and St. Francis of Paola
Saint day	December 8
Website	Official website

Castellaneta is a city and comune of the province of Taranto in Puglia region, in Southern Italy, about 40 km from Taranto. Located in a territory spanning from the Murgia to the Ionian Sea, characterized by numerous gravina ravines, it is part of the Comunità Montana della Murgia Tarantina (Tarentine Murgia Mountain Community).

[edit] History

Castellaneta in the 18th century.

Human settlements were present in the area since the Bronze Age (3rd-2nd millennium BC), and it was later probably settled by Sicels, Messapii and Iapyges. According to a theory, a fortified city (Castania in Latin) was founded in 550, and grew in size when the population of neighbouring cities fled here from Saracen attacks. Other historians maintain instead that it was a Greek colony which existed until the 8th century. When the Saracens destroyed it, the inhabitants joined in a Castellum Unitum (United Castle) on the hills, whence the current name.

Whatever its origin, Castellaneta was conquered by the Normans in 1064, taken by Duke Robert of Taranto, who expelled its Byzantine inhabitants. At that time, probably, the episcopal see was created. In the 13th century Charles of Anjou turned it first into a fief, and later in a King's city.

In 1503, during the Italian Wars, the citizens pushed back a French occupation force under the Duke of Nemours, in the so-called "Sack of Castellaneta". In 1519 the Spaniards sold it to Flemish feudataries, and thenceforth the city started to decline as secondary center.

In the course of World War II, the withdrawing Germans bombed it, killing 27 people. For this feat the city received a bronze medal to civil valour.

[edit] Main sights

The sea in the frazione of Castellaneta Marina.

• The Cathedral (Chiesa di San Nicola) was built in 1220 but was totally remade in the 18th century, along Baroque lines. Noteworthy are the façade and three canvasses by Carlo Porta. Annexed is the Palazzo Vescovile (Bishops' Palace), housing other works of art. The cathedral is named after Saint Nicholas, whose relics are held in the nearest big city, Bari.
• San Domenico, with a façade in both Renaissance and Baroque styles.
• San Francesco d'Assisi (1471), with canvasses from the 17th century.
• Santa Maria della Luce (13th century), is one of the few example of Angevine-Gothic architecture in the area, along with the Cathedral's bell tower. Built on uneven terrain, it is in the shape of a ship's deck, and has interesting frescoes in the interior.
• The Gravina of Castelleneta and numerous carved caves, once inhabited by local population, some of them used as churches.

[edit] Famous people

Actor Rudolph Valentino was born in Castellaneta in 1895.

[edit] Sources

• Arditi, Giacomo (1895). La corografia fisica e storica della Provincia di Terra d'Otranto. Lecce. pp. 118–125. 
• Colafemmina, Donato (1980). Castellaneta nei manoscritti del Prof. Nicola d'Alagni. Castellaneta. 

[edit] External links

• Castellaneta stroll