Ginosa in the province of Taranto: the ravine with the rock village, the castle, the historic centre and the closeness of Marina di Ginosa, a Blue Flag beach.
History
Ginosa stands on the southern Murgia, at the far western edge of the province of Taranto, overlooking a deep ravine that has shaped its history and layout. Like nearby Laterza, it lies a short distance from Matera and belongs to the Terra delle Gravine Regional Natural Park.
The village grew around the ravine, where for centuries the population lived in dwellings carved into the rock: a rock settlement that remains the town's most characteristic feature today.
What to see
The ravine and the rock village. The Gravina di Ginosa crosses the town, splitting it into two parts once linked by the rock districts of Casale and Rivolta: a labyrinth of caves, churches and dwellings carved into the tuff, witness to a millennia-old rock civilisation.
The castle. On the highest point stands the Norman castle, built around the eleventh century and remodelled in later centuries, offering an evocative view over the ravine below.
The marina. One of Ginosa's great strengths is Marina di Ginosa, its coastal district: a long sandy beach fringed with pine woods, awarded the Blue Flag, among the most appreciated of the Ionian shoreline and ideal for families.
At the table. Among the typical products stand out the dormenti, sweet ring cakes with a hint of cinnamon, made soft by a long overnight rise, and the baked goods of the Murgian tradition.
Did you know…
- The ravine crosses the town, splitting it into two parts linked by the rock districts.
- The dormenti are Ginosa's typical cinnamon sweet ring cakes.
- Marina di Ginosa is a Blue Flag beach, among the best-loved of the Ionian coast.
- Ginosa belongs to the Terra delle Gravine Regional Natural Park.
Practical information
| Hours | The village can be visited at any time. Castle and rock sites keep their own hours. |
|---|---|
| Ticket | Visiting the town is free; some sites and guided visits charge a fee. |
| Accessibility | The centre has gradients; the rock routes require suitable shoes. |
| Getting there | From Taranto about 50 minutes by car. About 15 minutes from Laterza and 20 from Matera. |
Tips for your visit
- Pair the village visit with a day at Marina di Ginosa.
- Admire the ravine from the historic centre's panoramic points.
- Taste the dormenti, the town's typical sweet.
- Ginosa is an excellent base for visiting Matera too.