IPS CABRINIIPS CABRINI

1.1. HISTORICAL IDENTITYHISTORICAL IDENTITY

2.2. ARTART

3.3. FOLKLOREFOLKLORE

4.4. TRADITIONS TRADITIONS

5.5. REGIONAL COUSINEREGIONAL COUSINE

The region was settled from the 1st millennium BC by several Illyric and Italic peoples.

In the 8th century BC greek settlers conquered the new Taras, the penisula between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo.

Taras reached its zenith of military power and prosperity in 4th century BC under the great philosopher and scientist Archytas.

The ancient Romans conquered Apulia in the 4th

century and established dominion over the region.

The Romans, connected the city to Rome with an extension of the Appian way and called it Tarentum.

Apulia was held successively by the Goths, the Lombards and, from the 6 th century onwards, the Byzantines until the 11th century. The Normans conquered Apulia in 1063.Robert Guiscard set up the Duchy of Apulia in 1059 and Robert’s son, Bohemond I, became prince of Taranto.

From the late 12th to early 13th centuries, was a favourite residence of Frederick II.

The Angevine and Aragonese/Spanish dominations Apulia became largery dominated by a small number of powerfull landowners. The French also controlled the region in 1806-1815.

Liberation moviments began to spread in the 1820s. In 1861,with the fall of Two Sicilies,the region joined Italy.Social and agrarian reforms that had proceeded slowly from the 19thcentury accellerated in the mid-20thcentury. An important stronghold of the Italian Navy in World War I and II, Taranto was heavily and effectively bombed br carrier-borne British planes in 1940 and was occupied by British forces on Sept.9,1943. Considerind the size of the Greek city-state of Taras,relatively few structural remains heve survived since then.

The characteristic apulian architecture of the 11th-13thcenturies reflects Greek,Arab,Norman and Pisan influences.There are universities at Bari and Lecce.

• The Aragonese Castle

• The Swing bridge

• San Cataldo Cathedral

• Pantaleo Palace

• The National Archeological Museum

Palazzo PantaleoMuseo

• ManduriaManduria: the triple round of megalithic walls (V-III century) and the ruins of the big necropolis.

• LaterzaLaterza: Churches-caves on the top of cliffs and ravines where the so called Civiltà Rupestre took place.

• Martina FrancaMartina Franca “capital” of the Taranto Baroque

• Typical spontaneous buildings of the area are the famous trulli

Folklore is the distinctive feature of a population that, endless, is still animated by sincere and strong religious faith and traditions.

Each town, on the seaside or on a hill, has a rich folkloristic background of costumes to discover.

Every year civic, popular and religious events just sign the cycle of the four seasons making a mixture among history, tradition, gastronomy and crafts. traditional dresses, tarantella and music Folk music and dance.

These arts are characterized by rich iconographies that are common among many other Mediterranean civilisations.

One of the myths that are part of the common folkloristic heritage is “Dionysism” which is probably the most mysterious and intriguing phenomenon of Salento folk culture,dating back to the Middle Ages.

It is now known under the name of “ Tarantula”.

The tarantula might represent a totemic animal whose origins are linked to the Dionysiac festivals which tarantanism evokes with its hedonist and frenzied traits.

Men and women (tarantolati) who are said to have been bitten by a tarantula are sottoposti to this ritual made upof music and dance which are said to be able to heal the poison.

The dances include the tarantella and tarantata, and are accompanied by a small orchestra-the main instruments are the traditional guitar, violin, mandolin and tambourine.

The band goes to the victim's house and incites the bitten one to dance, sometimes for days on end. This music is now played by various revival groups and offers an interesting example of the survival of Salento folk music.

• The local cuisine is simple and genuine,according to the Mediterranean diet.

• Typical dishes are made with products of both our land and sea

• Dairymen’s products are “ caciocavallo”, “Mozzarella and burrata”, “ricotta cheese”

• Tasty dishes with vegetables are aubergines with tomato and cheese or mushed broad beans with chicory

Typical home made pasta dishes are:

• “Orecchiette” with tomato sauce and hot ricotta cheese

• Spaghetti with mussels

MEAT DISHESMEAT DISHES

““Braciole”Braciole” ( little stuffed meat rolls”)

““Fegatini”Fegatini” ( a mixture of entrails wrapped

in a thin string)

““Sausages”Sausages” and salami

FISH DISHESFISH DISHESMullets, prawns, octopus, squids, seabass

( fried or grilled)