Ginosa, la Matera di Puglia

Dario Melissano 26 August 2022

Ginosa is a municipality in the province of Taranto with almost 22,000 inhabitants. It stands on the first step of the southern slopes of the Murgia tarantina, at 240 m above sea level.

It seems that the name derives from Genusia, as the local populations were devoted to the cult of the two-faced Janus.

Genusia was an important Peucetian centre (whose origins date back to several centuries BC), the closest to the city of Taranto with which, at various stages, it established commercial relations until the arrival of the Romans.

After the mid-11th century, Ginosa became a possession and stronghold of Robert Guiscard, as evidenced by the Castle, built starting from that period to be a lookout and control point over the entire Ionian Taranto area, especially as a defense against Saracen raids.

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The Norman Castle was built in 1080 by Robert Guiscard to defend against Saracen raids. It was originally equipped with three crenellated towers and a drawbridge, architectural elements that were demolished in the 16th century, when the Ionian municipality became a barony of the Doria family. The Norman Castle also appears in the coat of arms that symbolizes the municipality.

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The Mother Church, built in 1554 for the interest of a French military garrison, is dedicated to one of the most famous and popular saints of France: Saint Martin of Tours. The architectural line of the church is in Renaissance style and is located close to one of the most beautiful and important ravines of Ginosa.

Inside it contains pictorial elements that together result in an extravagance unique in the world. These are three paintings, from different periods and by different authors, which

They portray the Virgin Mary during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Icons that are very rare to find due to Counter-Reformation censorship.

The ravines are another important element of Ginosa's history. They literally envelop the historic center, and the castle is located in the center between the eastern and western ravines. It feels like being on the set of a Sergio Leone film. Walking through the bumpy streets of the ravines, it is possible to visit some Byzantine churches from the 9th-11th century.

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Ginosa, la Matera di Puglia

They portray the Virgin Mary during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Icons that are very rare to find due to Counter-Reformation censorship.

Written by Dario Melissano

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Ginosa, la Matera di Puglia

They portray the Virgin Mary during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. Icons that are very rare to find due to Counter-Reformation censorship.

Written by Dario Melissano

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