The Public Library of Pulsano is dedicated to Pietro Mandrillo, a prominent figure in the cultural landscape of Pulsano and the Ionian area in the 1980s and 1990s. It was established in 1958 with a collection of about 1000 volumes, including the collection of Laws and Decrees of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and that of the Italian State. Since 2018, the library is located on the ground floor of the Convent of the Reformed Fathers, a monumental complex built at the beginning of the 17th century by the will of Don Nicolò Sergio Muscettola, prince of Leporano, Pulsano, Torricella, and Monacizzo, and seat of the Barefoot Friars of St. Francis.
Over the years, the library has seen its collection grow thanks to donations from institutions, organizations, and private individuals. Currently, it has a collection of about 20,000 documents including books, pamphlets, CDs, and DVDs. Of particular relevance are a significant number of pre-unitary 19th-century publications of 32 ancient volumes; geographical maps dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries; numerous rare editions before 1945, and Special Collections such as the Regional and Local Collection, the Pesiri Collection, the USIS Collection, and the newspaper library, which includes about 75 discontinued local and national publications and 8 active publications.
At the Pietro Mandrillo Library, lending and book consultation services are available. Additionally, the following activities are organized:
Guided tours by appointment for groups of visitors and specific educational paths for schools of all levels;
book presentations and cultural initiatives;
Promotion of reading activities mainly aimed at younger audiences, in the dedicated Children's Room.
Since 2013, the library has joined the SBN library network in Taranto, and since 2021, it has been part of the bibliomuseal network of the Puglia region.
Chapel of the Holy Crucifix
An ancient place of worship in the countryside
A small place of worship, a destination for traditional Lenten pilgrimages, located amidst the countryside of Pulsano. The chapel of SS. Crocifisso is situated to the northwest of the town, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards that characterize the area where the municipalities of Pulsano, Leporano, and Taranto converge. The current single-nave building dates back to the first half of the 19th century, when the benefactor from Pulsano, Francesco Bisanti, financed the renovation works of the two preexisting chapels of San Nicola and Santo Spirito, which were already documented in the early 1500s.
Above the single stone altar is a wooden statue depicting the Crucified Christ following the iconographic model of Cristo patiens (suffering), bleeding, striking for the thinness of the chest and abdomen, as well as the white complexion, at times cyanotic on the cheekbones, lips, and eyelids. The work, mentioned as early as 1510 by Bishop Giovanni Maria Puderico in his pastoral visit, gives the impression of collapsing under its own weight, supported only by the slender arms crossed by tendons frayed from the unnatural effort. Devotees address their chants and prayers to the sculpture during the Stations of the Cross liturgy, which is repeated annually in the early afternoon hours of Lenten Fridays.
Completing the sacred furnishings are a clothed mannequin depicting the Sorrowful Virgin and a late 19th-century Neapolitan-made St. Francis of Paola. The exterior features a simple façade painted with white lime, following the Apulian tradition, with a small sail bell tower and a small backyard garden where typical aromatic plants of the region are cultivated.
Clock Tower
A symbol of time
Next to the Castle of Pulsano, the civic clock tower of the town is immediately recognizable, rising above the old guard post of the main gate that was part of the ancient urban perimeter walls. The clock's mechanical components and the bell were commissioned by the then-mayor Felice Laterza to the famous Milanese factory Cesare Fontana, while the white marble dial with Roman numerals was made in Naples. On June 29th, 1882, the clock started operating and has been periodically hand-wound ever since.
The Montedarena Bay probably owes its name to the combination of two words: "Monte" which means "hill" or "height" and "Arena" which undoubtedly refers to sand; therefore, it could be interpreted as "sand hill" or "sandy height". Nearby this beach located in Pulsano, there is a small church with the typical colors of the Mediterranean Sea, white and blue, called Stella Maris. The church overlooks the beach, creating a sort of special connection between the sea, beachgoers, and spirituality.
Luogovivo
Moving from Taranto towards Pulsano, one of the first bays you encounter is Luogovivo. This natural inlet is also known as the Fisherman's Bay because, in the past, it was a reference point for local fishermen who used it as a landing and mooring point for their maritime activities. This bay has a characteristic semicircular shape, protected by two towering promontories that embrace a small beach made of sand and pebbles, delimiting a protected area that resembles a real port.
Silvana Beach
The most important beach along the Pulsano coast in terms of size is certainly Lido Silvana, renowned for its whitest sand and its crystal-clear waters, features that we find throughout the Pulsano coastline. The beach of Lido Silvana is a long stretch of fine, light-colored sand. Looking from the shoreline towards the horizon, it is often possible to see small sailboats and other boats anchored offshore, along with numerous enthusiasts of windsurfing, kitesurfing, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) with their vibrant colors darting from one point to another in the bay, ensuring a pleasant and unforgettable atmosphere.
The Reeds
The Baia delle Canne is separated from the beach La Fontana only by a small cliff that borders a long stretch of very fine sand. The name "Baia delle Canne" may derive from the presence of reed beds or marsh canes along the coast in the past, although there is no official explanation. Both beaches are characterized by shallow waters that slope gently towards the open sea, making them suitable for bathers of all ages.
The Fountain
The beach La Fontana gets its name from the fact that a freshwater spring emerges from the shoreline. Another characteristic of this Pulsano beach is the presence in the central position of a large rock that dominates the landscape and, due to the constant action of the currents, has created a smaller cove on the same beach.
Capparrone or Green Villa
Traveling along the coast of Pulsano, it is hard not to notice other corners of renowned beauty. The Capparrone Bay or “Villa Verde†is a small cove with cliffs on the sides that hides a little beach. The name of this bay could be linked to a typical plant of the area, the “caperâ€, which grows spontaneously in the territory, especially on the cliffs, producing flowers and fruits. Besides bathing, from this bay, you can also lean out over the railing of the terrace above and extend your gaze towards the horizon.
Serrone Bay
The cove of Baia Serrone, located in the area of Marina di Pulsano, is a well-equipped beach highly appreciated for its natural beauty. This cove offers a public beach with amenities such as rental sunbeds and umbrellas, showers, and a restaurant bar serving seafood, meat dishes, pizzas, salads, and sandwiches, making it ideal for a relaxing day by the sea. The beach is known for its crystal-clear waters and the presence of small coves that form natural pools, particularly suitable for children. The atmosphere is serene and immersed in nature, perfect for those seeking some peace away from the hustle and bustle of busier beaches.
Pezza Rossa
Baia Pezza Rossa
Baia Pezza Rossa is a beautiful beach located in the Marina of Pulsano, along the Ionian coast of Puglia. This bay is characterized by very fine golden sand and crystal-clear waters, with a shallow seabed that makes it ideal for families with children. Surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, it offers a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere, away from the chaos of more crowded beaches. The bay is perfect for those looking for a day of relaxation immersed in pristine nature. Baia Pezza Rossa is located among other charming bays in the area, such as Baia Serrone and Baia Lido Silvana, all known for their natural beauty and clear waters.
Patronal Feast of Our Lady of Martyrs and Saint Trifone
Intertwining of spiritual and cultural identity
Every year on the 7th and 8th of September, the people of Pulsano pay tribute to their two patron saints, the Madonna of the Martyrs and San Trifone, with grand civil and religious celebrations characterized by the lighting of illuminations along the main street of Costantinopoli, the presence of a music stand in Castello square where the most renowned bands from Puglia perform, and a fireworks display. On the first day, the mayor hands over the keys of the town to the patrons, a symbolic gesture meant to request their divine protection for the entire upcoming year. The following day, a large procession of the two effigies takes place, accompanied by joyful marches of the bands in the presence of the population and all civil and religious authorities.
Devotion to the Madonna of the Martyrs is certainly subsequent but directly linked to the Turkish siege of Otranto (1480) in which, among others, a group of young volunteer pulsanesi perished in defense of Christianity and the Puglian coasts led by Giovanni Antonio De Falconibus, son of Marino, the feudal lord of the Terra di Pulsano and promoter of the construction of the castle. On May 12, 2013, Pope Francis canonized the 813 martyrs of Otranto, and since the following September, in our mother church, a relic consisting of a piece of bone from one of the martyrs inserted in a wooden case, donated by the bishop of Otranto, a city twinned with Pulsano, has been permanently preserved.
The cult of San Trifone, a goose herder from Asia Minor killed during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Decius (250 AD), spread in Pulsano following his benevolent intercession for the population which was overwhelmed by an epidemic between the end of 1810 and the beginning of 1812, causing hundreds of deaths. In reality, the idea of invoking Trifone as a protector originated from a significant group of individuals from the lower Salento region who resided in the village during that period to carry out agricultural activities related to the production of oil, tobacco, and cotton, and who already venerated the saint in their native towns.
Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
The Brotherhood's Celebration
The celebration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is organized in Pulsano in the month of July by the Archconfraternity of Purgatory, founded under the title of the Virgin of Mount Carmel in 1687. The confraternal statue, a precious wooden image from the eighteenth century with silver crowns and embroidered garments in pure gold, is solemnly transferred to the mother church to be enthroned on an artistic pedestal for the period of the novena.
On the day of the celebration, July 16th, the religious ceremony is enriched by the ritual of admitting new confraternity members with the imposition of the scapular. This is followed by a procession animated by all the members dressed in the traditional cream-colored attire. For the occasion, the historic center is adorned with lights and a music stand where traditional Apulian bands perform. Along the main street, visitors can also enjoy typical Apulian sweet products such as cupeta, dried figs with almonds, and more.
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
The Hope of Healing
In May 1929, after a diocesan pilgrimage to the French town of Lourdes, a famous Marian devotion center, the doctor from Pulsano, Egidio Delli Ponti (1880-1949), miraculously healed from a malignant tumor located in the carotid area. Upon his return, Delli Ponti had an exact replica of the grotto at Massabielle, the place where the Virgin Mary appeared to fourteen-year-old Bernadette Soubirous (1844-1879) in February 1858, built at his own expense at the end of the left nave of the mother church.
Since 1933, as a spontaneous remembrance of the grace, the faithful in Pulsano participate in the Pious Practice of the Fifteen Visits to the Madonna, which involves continuously going to the church of S. Maria La Nova from January 27 to February 10 to recite the Rosary, attend the Holy Mass, receive communion, and confess.
In 1947, following the heartfelt participation of the public, Archbishop Ferdinando Bernardi recognized the aforementioned church as a Diocesan Marian Sanctuary. Since then, every February 11, on the liturgical feast of the Madonna of Lourdes, Pulsano celebrates, and the historical center lights up with traditional illuminations and becomes lively with commercial stalls.
Holy Week
The Days of Passion
As reported in the sixth chapter of the ancient statutory rules, the organization of Holy Week in Pulsano belongs to the Archconfraternity of Purgatory founded in the year 1687 under the title of Virgin of Mount Carmel. On the morning of Palm Sunday, the confreres and sisters, together with the local clergy and members of the confraternity of Holy Sacrament, form a long procession from Piazza Marconi to the main church carrying an olive branch in memory of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, where the gospel reading of the Passion of Christ takes place.
From the afternoon of Holy Thursday until the early hours of the next morning, pairs of confreres (called perduni in the Pulsano dialect), barefoot and with their faces covered as a sign of penance, proceed silently swaying slowly from left to right (swaying, in the Pulsano dialect) from the confraternity headquarters to the main church to adore Jesus Eucharist placed on the reposition altar set up in the large chapel of the right nave. The perduni wear a black scapular embroidered with the words "Decor Carmeli" in blue, a sack and a white fabric hood, a cream-colored mozzetta with fourteen buttons, a metal medallion with the effigy of the Virgin of Carmel, and a dark brown hat. During the pilgrimage, the pairs of perduni crossing paths on the main street tap each other on the back with a cord, kneel, and greet each other, this gesture of reverence is called “salÄ’m ῾alaikâ€, from the Arabic word wishing peace and praise to God.
At 5 p.m. on Good Friday, a long and slow procession lasting at least sixteen hours departs from the confraternity chapel, composed of eight life-size statues representing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus scourged at the pillar, the Ecce Homo (affectionately nicknamed Christ at the loggia), Jesus falling on the way to Calvary, the Crucifix, the Holy Shroud, Dead Christ, and the Sorrowful Virgin. Each symbol is carried by the confreres in elegant dark attire. They are called fork-bearers, from the wooden shaft ending with a fork with which they support themselves during their swaying and which they hold in their hands. The procession is opened by a barefoot and hooded perdunu called troccolante who, by shaking a wooden instrument with metal hooks (la troccola), rhythmically marks the procession alternately with the bands playing mournful funeral marches. The troccolante is followed by two other perduni who respectively carry the black banner of the confraternity and a cross with the symbols of the Passion mentioned in the Gospels.
The statue of Dead Christ is escorted by two Carabinieri in full uniform and four men wearing dark cloaks selected from citizens who have particularly distinguished themselves over the years for their good deeds towards others. The Sorrowful Virgin, on the other hand, is accompanied by some sisters dressed in mourning with a black veil on their heads and a lit candle in their hands. In the early evening, the procession stops at the main church: as each symbol enters, the faithful listen to a sermon. Particularly moving and anticipated is the entrance into the church of the effigies of the Dead Christ and the Sorrowful Virgin because the lights are completely turned off and the music and singing of “O quanto amore†and “Stabat Mater†are performed, respectively.
The assignment of the statues to the carriers occurs through a voluntary financial offer presented in a closed-door meeting. The proceeds are usually destined for charitable works or for restoration and maintenance projects concerning the sacred buildings and furnishings of the town.
Convent of the Reformed Franciscan Fathers
Fransiscanism in Pulsano
The convent of the Reformed Fathers of San Nicolò di Puglia was built between 1709 and 1712 next to the church of S. Maria dei Martiri by the will of Nicolò Sergio Muscettola, prince of Leporano and Pulsano. The building, spread over two floors, appears massive and imposing, with rooms arranged around a cloister with round arches. The Franciscan monastic community mainly engaged in prayer, assisting the sick, cultivating products from extensive land ownership in the surrounding area, and studying as there was a library, the only active one in the Reformed Province during the 18th century.
After the suppression laws following the Unification of Italy (1861), the convent became municipal property and was used for various purposes: barracks for the Royal Carabinieri with adjoining prison cells, municipal offices and library, school classrooms. Since 1912, the building has been the seat of the monastic community of the Stimatine Sisters, who ran a nursery and a school for embroidery and sewing to provide professional training for the female population of Pulsano. Now devoid of any original furnishings, the convent currently houses the municipal library and the city's archaeological museum. Noteworthy is the large fresco depicting the Last Supper inside the former refectory, created by the artist Giuseppe Bianchi, a member of a famous family of painters originally from Manduria.
De Falconibus Castle
The emblem of the community
A historic symbol of Pulsano, it stands in the center of the town with its square, always the main point of reference for the community. The Castle of Pulsano is commonly called De Falconibus after a noble family originating from Bisceglie and present in these lands since the 14th century. Its construction began in 1430 by Marino De Falconibus, a prominent figure of the feudal system in Taranto. Through this new fortification, built on a pre-existing square tower from the Norman period, the so-called Casale di Pulsano, open and undefended, was transformed into Terra, a protected settlement, surrounded and defended by walls. The De Falconibus family lived in the castle until 1560, including notable figures such as Cosma, Raffaele, and finally Giovanni Antonio, one of the two Taranto captains who took part in the infamous battle of Otranto in 1480.
In 1617, the noble Muscettola family, of Neapolitan origins, acquired the lands of Pulsano, Leporano, Torricella, and Monacizzo. Francesco Muscettola, the second prince of Leporano from 1646 to 1675, along with his second wife Lucrezia Caracciolo, resided in the castle, making significant modifications still visible today. These include the construction of a new entrance gate on the west side, corresponding to the current one, and a connecting room with a balcony between the grand hall of the square tower and the rest of the master's house, embellished with fireplaces and frescoes, of which only minimal geometric and floral traces remain, depicting a biblical episode, specifically the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, and finally a Christ Pantocrator inside a medallion.
Developed on two floors, with perimeter walls made of carparo stone and battlements on the ramparts, the castle has two round towers and three square ones, the one overlooking the current square being used as an information and control center for the local defense system and being in direct visual communication with Torre Castelluccia on the coast. On the first floor of the aforementioned main tower, you can see a ribbed vault with lunettes and arches, with the coat of arms of the De Falconibus barons sculpted in the center. With Nicolò Sergio, son of Francesco, the Muscettola family moved to their new grand palace in Leporano, and the Pulsano castle was converted into a food warehouse until 1912 when the Municipality of Pulsano acquired it for the sum of 12,000 lire to use it as the seat of the municipal offices. After being the administrative and political headquarters of the town for decades, the building now houses the Tourist Information Office (IAT), the Museum of Peasant Civilization, and various cultural events.
Church of the Blessed Sacrament
A Chapel in the Center of the Village
Urban chapel housing one of the two Confraternities present in Pulsano, a center of devotion to the Immaculate, adorned inside with sculptures and paintings on Marian themes. The little church is located in the historic center of the village where once stood the ancient mother church dedicated to the Assumption, and it is the seat of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, already documented in the early 17th century. The current architectural complex, resulting from the remodeling of one of the chapels of the aforementioned preexisting church, dates back to the first half of the 19th century. It features a simple architectural structure with a facade made of local limestone traversed by projecting horizontal cornices and four Ionic order pilasters.
The interior consists of a single nave composed of three bays with wall decorations in tuff stone featuring charming little angels and white, gray, and golden geometric motifs. Above the only stone altar is placed a canvas from the 18th century depicting the Immaculate Conception with hands clasped at chest height, a thoughtful gaze directed upwards, set on a cloud populated by four cherubs. On each side of the canvas, four angels hold a scroll with the inscription Quam pulchra in rosis tam pura in lilys ("As beautiful among roses as pure among lilies") in reference to the Virgin. On the side walls, two oval paintings depict St. Francis of Paola and the Madonna of Pompeii. Additionally, the chapel venerates two clothed wooden sculptures representing the Sorrowful Virgin and the Immaculate Virgin.
Church of Purgatory
Sacred Art with Statues of Good Friday
Place of excellence for the rites of Holy Week in Pulsano and home to the homonymous Archconfraternity. In the historical center, facing the castle, stands the Church of Purgatorio, home of the venerable Archconfraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. The single-nave building with star vaults features a unique altar in local tufa inlaid in bas-relief dating back to 1671, surmounted by an eighteenth-century painting depicting the Madonna of Carmel interceding for some souls in Purgatory, created by the artist Pietro Bianchi, a member of a famous family of painters from Manduria.
Incorporated within the altar is a Sculpture of the Dead Christ, a wooden monolith sculpted and painted in 1800 by Giuseppe Pagano, a Neoclassical Neapolitan artist who also participated in the marble decoration of the famous chapel in the Cathedral of St. Cataldo in Taranto.
Next to the small church is the sacristy, used as a meeting place for the confreres and consorelle and home to the Confraternal Historical Archive, which among the most interesting documents includes the original statute dating back to 1760, commissioned by the spiritual father Don Francesco Pignataro.
Stella Maris Church
Faith by the Sea
A unique place of Marian devotion directly overlooking the sea of Pulsano. The Stella Maris church, currently the seat of the diocesan rectory, was inaugurated on July 4, 1964, and was strongly desired by the devout Pulsanese Angelina Screti and the then parish priest Don Bruno Falloni.
The small church, with a small bell tower, is located in the Montedarena area facing one of the main beaches of the town, and spiritually serves the vacationers and tourists of the coastal area. Every year, on the days of August 14 and 15, the rectory organizes celebrations in honor of the Assumption, revered as the protector of the sea: on this occasion, there is a characteristic procession at sea that ends with the arrival of the festive procession at the church.
Santa Maria La Nova Church
The main church of Pulsano
Main church and famous Diocesan Marian Sanctuary of Pulsano, the center of the community's religious life, the only parish in the town and a place of devotion for the patron saints. Inaugurated in 1858, just outside the town walls (which no longer exist), the main church features a neoclassical three-nave layout with a transept ending on the right in a large chapel and a facade in ocher-toned carparo stone, with six Ionic-style pilasters and a triangular pediment with an inner lunette.
In 1959, the church was hit by an accidental fire, after which the vaults were decorated with colorful faux marble stuccoes, gypsum cornices, and circular images of saints by the Taranto artist Francesco Carrino.
In the heart of the province of Taranto, in the summer, the village of Pulsano comes to life each year with the historical reenactment of "Polso Sano", an event that takes you back in time and keeps alive customs and traditions dating back to the medieval period. The event comes to life in the suggestive setting of Castello De Falconibus, where the past is revived through careful historical reconstruction. The castle and its square transform into an open-air stage.
Since the early years following the foundation of the Spartan colony of Taranto (706 BC), a widespread occupation of the territory surrounding the city can be observed, traditionally defined as CHORA, to the detriment of the indigenous populations, the Iapygians. During the period of maximum expansion, the Greek chora included the territories of the present-day municipalities of Palagiano, Massafra, Crispiano, Statte, Carosino, San Giorgio Ionico, Montemesola, Faggiano, Grottaglie, Pulsano, Lizzano, Leporano, and Fragagnano. The archaeological evidence of the occupation of the chora consists mainly of necropolises or small villages scattered around larger settlements. In the locality of Luogovivo, several fragments of terracotta statuettes have been found, especially the bearded reclining figure, one of the most common subjects in the production of votive terracottas from Taranto.
Many necropolises have been discovered in the territory of Pulsano: in the locality of Spartifeudo, 14 tombs have been explored. The grave goods found can be dated to the second half of the 4th century and the beginning of the 3rd century BC. The most commonly attested burial practice in the Greek era is inhumation. The deceased, laid in a supine position, were accompanied by grave goods reflecting their social status and gender. The tombs found in the Calapricello and Luogovivo districts have yielded rich funerary assemblages with Corinthian imported pottery, produced from 625 BC. These consist of repeating patterns with hunting and battle scenes, animal friezes, and floral motifs.
Classical-Hellenistic period 5th-3rd century BC
There are more attestations of classical-Hellenistic necropolises in Pulsano. From Masseria Calapricello come burial goods consisting of vases with red-figure and black-figure designs. From the locality of Foza to the west of Pulsano, a cremation burial has been found inside an oinochoe (wine jug) with red-figure decoration depicting two deceased individuals inside a small shrine.
In the 1950s, two tombs dating back to the Hellenistic period were discovered near Masseria Li Vazzi and in the districts of Scorcora and Molitilli. Dating back to 1982, the discovery of 5 pit tombs from the 4th-3rd century BC on Via Toma. In 1995, in the locality of Spartifeudo, 14 tombs with a counter-grave were explored, including 2 with a pseudo-sarcophagus.
During the 4th century BC, a new type of pottery spread. Commonly known as "Gnathian pottery", originally produced in Taranto and spread to various centers in southern and central Puglia, with high artistic value featuring decorated vases with vegetal motifs or genre scenes (mostly theatrical or sacred), used during symposia or in a funerary context.
The necropolis and grotto tombs
The necropolis of Torre Castelluccia in Pulsano is located on the plateau north of the settlement, near the sixteenth-century tower. In the area, 4 inhumation tombs dating back to the 6th millennium BC have been discovered. The practice of cremation began to spread during the middle Bronze Age (17th - 14th century BC), along with the custom of collective burials in large chambers or hypogea - whether artificial or natural - dolmens or small grottoes, progressively abandoned in favor of cremation in urns.
An artificial grotto tomb, dating back to the late Bronze Age (17th - 12th century BC), was found on the western slope of the plateau near the tower. It consisted of an elliptical-shaped cell and an access corridor, containing the remains of multiple individuals arranged in a huddled position, along with some grave goods. Starting from the end of the middle Bronze Age, the practice of cremation in "urn fields" emerged. The burnt human remains were placed inside cylindrical or conical-necked cinerary urns made of pottery, covered by inverted carinated bowls and often surrounded by a small circle of stones embedded in the ground for protection. The impressed and incised pottery, characterizing the burials, dates back to an early phase of the 6th millennium BC.
Scoppetta Mill
An industrial archaeology testimony
The Scoppetta Mill in Pulsano is a rare example of Italian industrial archaeology, excellence in the flour milling industry of Terra d’Otranto between the late nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century. On the outskirts of the historic center, where the ancient mills of the local feudal lord once stood, the Scoppetta Mill survives as the only testimony of the historical industrial establishments for the production of flour, bread, and derivatives in the area.
The activity, born as an industrial flour mill, was started by Francesco Scoppetta (1853-1918), a merchant of agricultural products originally from Atrani, in the province of Salerno, in 1883. After receiving the gold medal at the first Agricultural-Industrial Sample Exhibition held in Palermo in 1905, Scoppetta decided to expand the production by adding a mechanical pasta factory, and in 1911, he renewed the mill with modern roller machines from the Swiss company Bühler. The new cutting-edge plant in the regional context made it possible to process up to 80 quintals of wheat per day, both soft and hard, a significant quantity for that time.
The building is constructed with local stone blocks and wooden lofts divided into four levels, plus a tower for the cleaning department, warehouses, and areas for retail. The factory, managed by Francesco's heirs, remained in operation until 1970, employing up to 10 workers. It was later abandoned and suffered the consequent damages of time. In 2001, it was placed under protection by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, saving it from probable demolition. In recent years, there has been an awareness campaign for its preservation and enhancement.
Traces of Roman Settlements
Roman Period – The Roman Villas
In the Taranto area, evidence of villas is particularly known along the coast. Along the Ionian coast, there were villas in Gandoli, Saturo, Luogovivo, Lido Silvana, Torre Ovo, and Punta Prosciutto.
The villa of Luogovivo and Lido Silvana, connected to a production facility for processing fish, as well as the underwater finds related to shipwrecks, provide initial data to outline, especially starting from the 2nd-3rd century BC, a coastal landscape characterized by complex residential settlements, production facilities exploiting sea resources. The maritime villas enjoyed long-lasting favor among the Roman aristocracy (1st century BC and 1st century AD), when owning a villa with a fishpond became not only a trend but also a symbol of wealth and personal prestige. To meet the leisure needs of the wealthy owners, significant resources were invested: in addition to porticoes, rich thermal complexes were common, often with swimming pools, gardens, fountains, and sometimes even monumental nymphaea.
Villa of Lido Silvana
In the Lido Silvana location, near the Lo Scoglio beach, are still visible wall remains probably attributable to a coastal villa. A short distance away, on the cliff, there are some structures related to Roman-age fishponds, lined with brick tiles, related to a facility for the processing of fish. The facility consisted of 5 tanks arranged in at least two parallel rows. The tanks preserve the bottom, the floor in bricked tessellated pattern, and short segments of the parallels.
All internal edges are covered with terracotta. In close proximity to a saline and the Cannedde spring, they were used for fish salting and the production of fish-based preserves, widely marketed in the Roman world.
Torre Castelluccia
A Sentinel on the Sea
Castelluccia Tower is located in the area of Bosco Caggioni, on the elevated coastal road of Pulsano, detached from the service road. First mentioned in the Atlas by cartographer Mario Cartaro in 1613, the structure has a quadrangular base, extends over two levels, and is covered with squared blocks of fossiliferous and spongy yellowish-red tuff stones. The northeast-facing front features three machicolations with respective bartizans, two of which have muzzle-loading guns with a spatula-shaped muzzle.
Castelluccia Tower is part of an integrated anti-pirate defensive system established by the Spanish Viceroyalty from the mid-16th century onwards and guards a coastline rich in coves between Saturo Tower, part of the settlement of Leporano, and the vanished Red Tower. Over time, a staircase with a sloping arch was added to the tower to provide easier access to the upper floor, consisting of a single barrel-vaulted room with a fireplace.
In 1842, it was assigned for use to the customs force and later to the National Domain and the Navy. In 1948, the building was used as a base for an archaeological excavation that uncovered a settlement dating back to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age (13th - 10th century BCE). Currently, the tower shows significant structural decay.
The Protohistoric Village of Torre Castelluccia
Prehistory in Pulsano
In the locality Torre Castelluccia, the settlement from the Neolithic period is attested by the discovery of 4 burials of the tumulus type, attributable to an Early Neolithic settlement (6th millennium BC), with the presence on the surface, in the immediate coastal hinterland, of impressed and incised ceramics. The first settlement of Torre Castelluccia dates back to the Middle Bronze Age (17th-14th century BC), which preserves the remains of a village inhabited until the Iron Age (5th-8th century BC) and of a cremation necropolis from the Late Bronze Age (11th century BC).
The site of Torre Castelluccia is located in the area known as Bosco Caggione. The area is situated about 21 meters above sea level and is dominated by a sixteenth-century watchtower. The settlement is located on a promontory between two bays and is separated, through a natural embankment, from the hinterland plateau, where necropolis nuclei have been identified. Today, the settlement area and the necropolis area are separated by the Salento Coastal Road, constructed in the '50s.
The protohistoric village is characterized by a stone-paved access ramp and small clusters of rectangular-shaped huts. The village appears delimited, to the southeast, by a double curtain wall. An additional wall, probably referring to a second fortification circuit, has been detected on the southern side.
The southern plain of the promontory was likely terraced and occupied by other structures with residential or productive functions. The Hut, first investigated in 1948 by Drago, is a rectangular-shaped structure with perimeter walls made of limestone. On the inner wall, two protruding blocks delimit an area called storage room, which yielded various bronze artifacts, including an ornamental pin, rings, fibulae, a razor, a bone necklace, vitreous paste, carnelian, and shells. The materials found in Hut 7 date back to the Late Bronze Age (11th century BC).
Local Products
Vineyards
The territory of the municipal agro of Pulsano extends for about 1,800 hectares, running along the coast for 3-4 km. Excluding the surfaces serving the town center and the residential coastal area, there are about 1,200 hectares dedicated to agriculture, which along with tourism and handicrafts take the lead in work activities. The warm-arid dry climate in the summer and rainy enough in the winter allows for a rich agriculture capable of hosting various herbaceous species (vegetables in general) and tree species (grapevines, olive trees, etc.). The grapevine, once cultivated as a bush and now transformed into espalier thanks to mechanization, represents the main agricultural income and is characterized by the production of wine grapes. The most representative variety is the Primitivo, followed by the Negroamaro and the Malvasia in white and red berries.
The grapevine plant, vitis vinifera L., is a climbing shrub with palmate leaves and small green flowers in clusters; its fruit is the grape, from which wine is produced. In southern Italy, the favorable soil and climatic conditions and the high availability of native grape varieties create ideal conditions for the production of both high-quality red and white wines with distinctive typical characteristics. The choice of European grapevines must fall among those authorized and recommended for our region. Among these, we point out: Primitivo n., Negro Amaro n., Malvasia Nera from Lecce, Malvasia Nera from Brindisi, Aleatico n., Aglianico n., Minutolo b., White Malvasia, giving priority to those varieties/clones characterized by low production, small and loose clusters, and small berries.
Olive Trees
Pulsano is one of the excellent areas in Puglia for olive growing. Olive groves characterize this territory with their millenary plants of remarkable environmental and landscape value due to their appearance, state of preservation, and integration into the local context. Among the most representative olive varieties for extra virgin olive oil are the Ogliarola and Cellina di Nardò. In Italy, there are about 500 olive varieties listed, each of which adapts to different environmental conditions.
Currently, due to the effects of Xylella fastidiosa, in our area, it is possible to plant only two varieties considered tolerant to the bacterium and therefore to the disease that results from it: the complex of olive quick decline (CoDiRO). Regardless of the pedoclimatic characteristics, the choice of varieties to be planted is mandatory between Leccino and FS17 Favolosa. The former is a dual-purpose cultivar for oil and table olives, while the latter, FS17 Favolosa, is exclusively for oil and recently established.
The Fig Tree (Ficus carica)
The cultivation of fig trees has had a fundamental role for centuries in Pulsano in supporting the poorest families and the agricultural economy of the area. Its success depended on the plant's marked adaptability to our sunny and very dry soils, modest water requirements, but above all, an extremely pleasant taste for everyone. While fresh fruits were a summer delight, dried figs provided a high-calorie content in the winter diet, which was difficult to find in the poor peasant cuisine of those years.
Today, figs are often discouraged for those who are overweight or have high blood sugar levels; however, the glycemic index and glycemic load attributed to the consumption of these fruits are moderate, making them suitable for all prescribed diets. The concentrations of therapeutic substances are astonishing: in figs, we find 67 polyphenolic compounds with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. 100 grams of figs contain 2.1 grams of polyphenols, a huge amount compared to other fruits and even products sold in pharmacies. The fresh latex that oozes out when picking unripe fruits and leaves is a real remedy for warts due to its keratolytic action and can clot milk, resulting in a local tender and delicious cheese called "Pampanella."
The phrase "not worth a dried fig" is evidently not based on nutritional values but probably stems from habits lost in the mists of time: in ancient Greece, the fig was not considered a delicacy and was eaten and given to the poor. This negative connotation has therefore remained in the popular imagination here as well. In the Puglia region, 80 fig varieties and 18 caprifigs are cataloged, making up a total heritage of 200 species.
Bruschetta, or "fedda rossa" in the Pulsano dialect, with its toasted crunchy bread, rubbed with garlic on one side and drizzled with local extra virgin olive oil and ripe tomatoes, is an ode to Apulian culinary tradition as well as to Pulsano's. Another timeless classic is the "frisella," or "frisedda" in the local dialect. This hard and biscuity bread, once moistened with water, becomes the perfect base for olive oil, sliced tomatoes, oregano, and a pinch of sea salt.
It speaks of peasant history, of products from the land that reach the table through the work of skilled hands. The bread, kneaded with passion, leavened with patience, and finally baked to perfection, whether in its toasted and inviting form for bruschetta or in its more rustic version for frisella, is never just an accompaniment but always a protagonist. These products are not just food; they are an experience, an invitation to slow down and savor each moment. For the tourist seeking authenticity, Pulsano offers not just a taste but also a memory that will linger long beyond the journey back home.
Laina cu la prugghiazza
Portulaca, called "prugghiazza" in Pulsano, is a very resilient weed with fleshy green, almost shiny leaves. A nuisance for farmers of the past because it prefers well-fertilized, irrigated, and sun-exposed soils, it is actually a plant rich in valuable nutrients such as betalains, flavonoids, essential minerals, and vitamins (A and C), but stands out for its high content of Omega 3, with 350 mg of alpha-linolenic acid per 100 g of leaves.
Of notable interest are its anti-diabetic, purifying, diuretic, and anti-infective therapeutic properties thanks to the high amount of vitamin C. It was even loaded onto ships in ancient times to prevent scurvy. Equally important is the abundance of omega 3, useful for preventing cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases.
