the setting where the aragonese gin was born

the city: taranto

Taranto, located in southeastern Italy, is a city rich in history, culture and traditions. Known as the ”City of Two Seas“ due to its location between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, Taranto has been an important historical and commercial center since ancient times. Founded by the Spartans in the 8th century BC, the city became one of the most powerful colonies of Magna Graecia, thanks to its strategic location and the economic prosperity derived from trade and agriculture.

Taranto boasts a unique archaeological heritage, with evidence of its long and rich history. The National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA) is one of the most important in Italy and houses a vast collection of artifacts from Magna Graecia, including the famous golds of Taranto. The historic center, located on an island, is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, ancient churches and aristocratic palaces that evoke the charm of the past.

A symbol of the city is the Castello Aragonese, a fortress built in the 15th century to protect Taranto from enemy invasions. Even today, the castle stands majestically over the navigable canal that connects the Mar Grande to the Mar Piccolo. Next to the castle, the Swivel Bridge is another icon of Taranto: an engineering work unique in Italy that allows ships to pass between the two seas.

who were the aragonese

The Aragonese period in Taranto (1443-1502) was marked by the integration of the Principality of Taranto into the Kingdom of Naples. The Aragonese, who took over from the Angevins, strengthened their control over the territory and promoted the economic and cultural development of the city. Taranto, already a strategic center for trade and defense, maintained its importance due to its location and port.

The principality reached its zenith with Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo, the last independent prince, whose reign saw an artistic and cultural flowering. Upon his death in 1463, the principality was definitively absorbed by the Aragonese Crown. During this period, important fortification works were built, such as the Aragonese Castle, designed to defend the city from attacks by sea.

Aragonese rule consolidated Taranto's identity as a strategic bulwark and bridge between East and West in the Mediterranean.

the castle and the bridge in our bottle design

Taranto's Aragonese Castle, located on an island between the Mar Grande and Mar Piccolo, is a majestic fortress built in the 15th century at the behest of Ferdinand of Aragon. Featuring imposing bastions and a striking moat, it served to defend the city from naval attacks. Later transformed into a military structure and prison, today it is an important historical site, which can be visited with guided tours illustrating its rich history and architecture.

Taranto's swing bridge, known as Ponte San Francesco di Paola, connects the old city to the new by crossing the navigable canal. Opened in 1887, it is unique in Italy for its mechanism that allows it to open for the passage of ships. A symbol of the city, it combines history and modernity.

Aragonese Gin is made by.