L’estetica della fortificazione: un topos della tradizione nell’Eclettismo

The Taranto hinterland, situated between Taranto and Oria and bordered to the north by Grottaglie, features a distinctive characteristic: the presence of imposing fortified architectures that visually and physically dominate the territory. The constant existence of large, fortified palaces, particularly in smaller towns, has prompted a search for comparisons in the surrounding area; indeed, defensive towers and bastions have been found both along the coastal margins to the south at Taranto’s marina and to the north corresponding to the Ionian-Tarantino arc. In contrast, the hinterland exhibits a homogeneous presence of noble palaces, which served as control points and administrative centers for feudal lands. While these structures have lost their defensive function, they often retain the aesthetic of fortified architecture. The aspect of fortification is psychologically and traditionally associated with power and control, symbolizing the impregnable nature of the building, which reflects the indestructibility of the kingdom; similarly, this topos has been reused in the noble palaces of Carosino, San Giorgio Jonico, and Monteparano. These structures arise in strategic locations within the territory and are linked to the lineage of the D’Ayala Valva family, which aims to architecturally unify its possessions in an eclectic neo-medieval style.