Cleverly set on the border of two beautiful regions such as Puglia and Basilicata, Ginosa is the last municipality Jonico to border with the Lucana region. It also includes the coastline area, called precisely Marina di Ginosa.

An ideal destination for those who are hunting for sea and relaxation, Ginosa can offer an environment able to give the emotions of the beach, the sun and the beautiful waters of the Ionian, but also plains and hilly landscapes rich in fields, olive groves and vineyards.

The history

According to some scholars, the origin of the name Ginosa was due to characters coming from ancient Illira (which in ancient times occupied most of the Balkans), where the Genusus River flowed. The origins of Ginosa, however, are also affected by Greek influence especially during the period of Roman rule. In fact, it became important for many reasons: first of all, being close to the Via Appia, it soon became a fort for Roman troops; but also because of its plain, which became This is in fact an immense barn for Rome.

Art

From an artistic point of view, the greatest fortunes of Ginosa arrive with the advent of the Byzantines, skilled and style lovers in building important artistic works.

Among the main monuments of the Apulian resort, it is worth mentioning the Norman Castle, built in 1080 for volunteers agrave; by Roberto the Guiscardo. Its purpose was to defend the city from Saracen raids and to do so, it was initially built with three crenellated towers and an entrance consisting of a drawbridge. Then, during the sixteenth century, the castle assumed the most similar configuration to a palace with the advent of the Doria family. It should be noted that the importance of the Norman Castle in the life of Ginosa is such as to be depicted in the heraldic coat of arms of the Municipality of Ginosa itself. Around the Castle, Ginosa offers another wide variety of monuments to visit and learn about.

Piazza Orologio, for example, overlooks the Norman Castle and, together, give it to the center of the city of Ginosa an aspect that is very reminiscent of the most classic Hellenic villages, a symptom of the influence that Greece has had in the history of the city. For those who love nature and, possibly, rock climbing, there is also another breathtaking show offered by the plain of Ginosa. They are the ravines, many also called the Italian Canyons. In Ginosa, among others, you can admire those of Canale San Giuseppe, Torrente Lagnone Tondo, Passo di Giacobbe, Selva Venusio, Gravinella del Cacciatore and many others.

Ginosa also offers a great opportunity for birdwatchers, especially storks. The Salinella Lake, in fact, located on the coast of Marina di Ginosa, is a lake in which many species of migratory birds stop besides, in fact, storks, point that is considered a protected nature reserve.

Ginosa, then, also means farms; special fortified farms, within which milk, cheese and everything could be produced be useful for the survival of a city that, in ancient times, had to be self-sufficient and also ready to face long periods of siege by enemy troops. Among the many jewels that make the already beautiful Ginosa beautiful there are, in fact, also fortified buildings that survived time and that take us into the past. This is the case, for example, of the former French Barracks, a small housing complex built in the 17th century during the French domination; but also of the Church Matrix (also known as the Mother Church), built in the mid-fifteenth century and dedicated to San Martino da Tours, one of the most famous saints beyond the Alps. Like many cities in the south, Ginosa expresses its religiosity with a whole series of places of worship whose visit is an almost obligatory stop for those who spend time in this jewel of our south. The rock churches are very many for a town of just over twenty thousand inhabitants, of all to be noted those of S. Barbara, S.Catherine, S. Sofia, S. Pietro, S. Marco, S. Leonardo Vecchio and S. Bartolomeo . Among the crypts, instead, a visit is worth those of San Felice and San Giovanni da Matera.

The sea

The hamlet of Marina di Ginosa, also awarded the blue flag this year, it is just over twenty kilometers from Ginosa itself and is one of the most famous resorts in the Ionian area. First of all for its crystal clear waters with a regular bottom that is gradually lowered, then for its beaches where every need can find its space: from the desire to be relaxed in loneliness (or almost), in a beach area without too many people, up to the denser area frequented by bathers, where you can find full services in various bathing establishments.

The pine forest of Marina di Ginosa is also beautiful. Here you can enjoy the scents of nature and immerse yourself in it before a relaxing bath. There is also a wide choice for the classic after sea. Ginosa offers the most varied possibilities: from the walk through the alleys of the center with dinner in the adjoining restaurants, or — with a few minutes drive — a trip to the local nearby.

Above everything, however, Ginosa manages to enhance taste and smell thanks to the all Mediterranean flavors and inimitable flavors of fruit, meat and all the products that come from this land of traditions and great passions.

How to reach Ginosa

To reach Ginosa you can use as many as two airports served both by national carriers that by the so-called low cost carriers so loved by holidaymakers: they are that of Taranto-Grottaglie and that of Bari named after Karol Wojtyla. For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, instead, the obligatory routes to reach Ginosa are the A14 Bologna-Taranto motorway and the highway 106 “Jonica”.