Peripatos Gardens

The Peripato Gardens (Villa Peripato) are Taranto’s most beloved historic public park, a green oasis covering almost five hectares overlooking the Mar Piccolo. The name refers to Aristotle’s Peripatetic school — from the Greek perìpatos, ‘a place for walking’ — in homage to the Tarantine philosopher and mathematician Archita. The area, once a citrus grove known as the Garden of St Anthony and owned by the de Beaumont family, was transformed into a garden open to the public in 1863 under the guidance of the artist Antonio Criscuolo; in the early decades of the 20th century, it passed to the City Council, which created the Villa Comunale there, enhancing it with benches, columns and a bust of Leonardo da Vinci. With its paths, palm trees, ponds and a panoramic terrace overlooking the inner sea, it is the ideal spot for a stroll in the shade in the heart of the city.