Grottaglie, ceramics and more
There is a town that you absolutely must visit about twenty minutes from Taranto, nestled on the slopes of the Murge, it has very ancient roots, rich in art and culture and recognized internationally for a tradition that they have carried on for centuries and which they jealously guard: we are talking about of Grottaglie.
Grottaglie date back to the Bronze Age and its name, in Latin, Cryptae Aliae means “other caves,” numerous finds have been found in these caves which we can define as small Apulian canyons (located a few kilometers from the city). Archaeological sites that testify to the presence of human settlements already in prehistoric times. The old town of Grottaglie is characterized by narrow streets, stone houses and numerous historic churches, among which the most important is the Sanctuary of San Francesco de Geronimo, born in Grottaglie in 1642 and canonized in 1839, which over time has become an important place of pilgrimage. St. Francis is also venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church for his missionary work and his commitment to the poor. One of the most interesting neighborhoods that you absolutely must visit is the ceramics district. In the shadow of the Episcopio Castle, built in the 14th century and which is an important example of medieval architecture, there are several artisan workshops where real pieces of art are produced. A museum inside is open to public.
Ceramics, the origin of a tradition
Grottaglie is famous throughout the world for its thousand-year-old tradition of ceramic manufacturing. Thanks to the presence of high-quality clays nearby, artisans have been able to develop sophisticated techniques since the Middle Ages which have evolved over time, always maintaining a strong link with traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation.
The most iconic and characteristic ceramic artefacts are the “Pumi” in the shape of a flower bud, they are symbols of prosperity and luck; the “Capasoni”, large containers traditionally used to store wine and oil and the classic plates and vases. Decorated with floral, geometric motifs or scenes from everyday life, often hand painted with great skill. In the shops of the ceramics district you will be able to admire the numerous unique pieces of master craftsmen who, deviating from classic forms, with their hands and their experience produce design objects suitable for best furnishing your home.
The production of ceramics in Grottaglie includes different phases from the extraction of the clay from the local quarries to shaping where the clay is shaped by hand or on the lathe to create the desired shape, up to drying to eliminate humidity from the artefacts. This first raw form is then subjected to the first cooking in an oven at high temperatures. Then the objects are decorated with enamels and colors before reaching the last phase. That of the second firing where the decorated objects are further fired in the oven to fix the colors and glazes. Every year in Grattagli an event that celebrates ceramic art with exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops.
The Grottaglie spaceport, a new frontier
The Grottaglie spaceport is one of the most promising aerospace infrastructures in the country. Officially known as Taranto-Grottaglie “Marcello Arlotta” Airport, it was designated in 2014 by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) as a suitable site for suborbital space operations. This designation marked a significant step in the development of the Italian space sector, allowing the airport to become a hub for launching suborbital flights and other aerospace activities.
The project to transform Grottaglie into a real spaceport has seen investment in specific infrastructure to support aerospace tests, launch and landing operations of space vehicles. Collaborations with international companies, such as Virgin Galactic, have further strengthened Grottaglie’s role as a center of aerospace innovation.
The potential of the Grottaglie spaceport goes beyond suborbital flights. It is expected to become a hub for technological research and development, attracting investment and talent from around the world.