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Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia!

Grottaglie is an Italian city of almost 32,000 inhabitants in the province of Taranto, Apulia. Famous for its pottery production, today we will get to know this city full of art and attractions better!

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Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia!

Known for the production of artistic ceramics and the production of table grapes, Grottaglie is also called the “City of Ceramics” or “City of Grapes”. It is born south of Murgia, on the border with the province of Brindisi, and is beautiful! Today we are going to take a walk around Grottaglie and get to know its ceramics better! Let’s get to our post of the day: Let’s visit Grottaglie, in PugliaHere at  Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patricia  you make the trip of your dreams !!! ALSO: see our  “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”.

Our Introduction

Grottaglie is one of the most important destinations in Apulia, although it is not as well known by tourists. Also known as the “city of ceramics”, it offers the opportunity to enjoy moments of rest, surrounded by culture, good cuisine and great wines! The city’s name derives from Cryptae Aliae, meaning several caves, referring to the rocky settlements that have developed in the area since the Paleolithic era. These settlements are justified by the presence of many caves that opened into the deep ravines that characterize the area. Byzantine monks inhabited these caves and frescoed them, while in the year 1000 the Jews took refuge there and started commercial activities. Shall we get to know the 10 best wineries in Apulia?

1) Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia! CERAMICS MUSEUM

One of the symbols of the city, of course, is the Ceramics Museum, which tells a great part of the history of Grottaglie and houses fantastic examples of ceramics of the most diverse shapes and colors.

2) Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia! THE EPISCOPIO CASTLE AND THE CHURCHES

The city’s historic center also offers numerous attractions and monuments to visit. Among the main monuments and places of interest, we mention the Episcopio Castle and the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, which would later be known as Chiesa San Pietro dei Giudei. Next to the church, we find the birthplace of San Francesco De Geronimo. There is the Mother Church, and in the southern part of the historic center is the ceramics district, the main place of residence for artisans and their ateliers.

Other interesting buildings are the historic Palazzo Cicinelli, Palazzo Urselli, Palazzo Maggiulli-Cometa and Palazzo Blasi. The old town center of Grottaglie offers splendid tours, immersed in art and culture. A very interesting artistic and religious heritage is that of the sanctuary that the Grottagliesi dedicated to their fellow citizen Francesco De Geronimo: we are talking about the small baroque church from 1400. Beautiful! Valuable is the stone crib of Stefano da Putignano, kept in the Church of the Madonna del Carmine.

3) Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia! THE CAVES

Be sure to visit the caves located in the areas around the city, as well as the ravines rich in history. The city is located in a delightful place and is a splendid city from whose top of the castle you can enjoy breathtaking views.

4) Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia! CERAMICS DISTRICT

For shopping, of course: head to Grottaglie’s craft shops in the historic center; the ceramics district is certainly what it has the most to offer and the handcrafted products are amazing! It is a truly magical neighborhood where history is flawlessly combined with tradition. The neighborhood has small cross alleys where artisans display their creations at very reasonable and affordable prices.

Tip:

  • Ask them to pack their ceramics well so they can withstand your return trip!

5) Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia! NIGHTLIFE

For lovers of nightlife, the city offers bars and restaurants in the historic center. Here you can enjoy excellent cocktails or have aperitifs late into the night. In fact, the cuisine presented by the city is characterized by unique, intense flavors and aromas! There are many restaurants in the center, but also in the countryside and farm hotels, that form the scene of the city.


What to do in Grottaglie? Map


My Tips

  • The best way to visit and get to know the historic center is on foot; moreover, we recommend comfortable and cool clothes in the summer months, and the best “onion” style in the winter months, although the temperature is quite mild!
  • Oh: look at the city walls! They are full of amazing, colorful graffiti that attract our eyes as if they were real magnets.
  • It’s impossible not to want to take a souvenir of this unique city! The most representative is a small button called “lu pumu”. Ceramic-made, with various dimensions and colors, is often found around the city! Il Pumu is a wonderful little example of the city’s art and poetry tradition and, giving it, or receiving it as a gift, shows the most sincere wishes for renewal, resurrection, perfection and beauty. It’s also a unique lucky charm, as most of these objects are all handmade, meaning they’re never like any other! There are several styles and the difficult thing is to choose just one!
  • To this day, Grottaglie has numerous pottery workshops, and is the only pottery center in Apulia protected by the D.O.C. and included in the shortlist of 28 cities of Italian pottery.
  • One of the shops for your purchases is Ceramiche Rosaria Spagnulo – Via XXV Luglio, 102. The stores in the cities are beautiful, it is difficult to choose the most special one, as it would be a huge injustice, but as you progress through the streets, you discover stores that even somewhat “hidden”, reserve very pleasant surprises!

Where to Eat in Grottaglie? La Capasa

La Capasa: a super delicious place! Amazing dishes, great prices and amazing service! Where it is: Via Ennio 60, 74023 Grottaglie, Italy. Hours: Sunday, from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm; from Monday to Saturday, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:30 pm.


How to get to Grottaglie?

 

1) How to get to Grottaglie? BY TRAIN

Train station leaving from Taranto. Did you know that Trenitalia is the main Italian company dedicated to the management of railway transport? Find out here “What is the difference between trains in Italy?”. Buy your ticket online in advance and save a lot, read the Post “How to buy a train ticket in Italy?”.

2) How to get to Grottaglie? BY CAR

By car, the best option: exit at kilometer 23 from Taranto on the SS7.

Travelling by car in Italy

How about if I give you a rental car option? Are you ready for it? If you are renting a car be sure to read our posts in the section Driving in Italy on the blog Your Travel to Italy. In addition to car itinerary tips, we have everything about signage, tolls, roads and many more tips.

Don’t know where to rent the car?

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Important to know
  • Also, it is important to know that in tourist cities there are places (historic centers) where PARKING IS PROHIBITED , and it can only be used by people who live there! That’s why it’s important not to go to these places so as not to take unnecessary fines.
  • How to understand what these places are? See the post that talks about it, but anyway, another tip for those who are unsure about it, is to park a little outside the center and go downtown on foot or, spending a little more, by taxi or other public transport.

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Conclusion

Let’s visit Grottaglie, in Puglia! The land of pottery, Grottaglie offers us a range of attractions. The ceramic stores around the city, for sure, are the highlight of this city so full of charm, culture, colors and flavors!

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