San Giorgio Ionico
Exploring San Giorgio Ionico
Hello everyone, today we will talk about San Giorgio Ionico, an Italian municipality located in the province of Taranto, in the region of Puglia. With its 14,248 inhabitants, this city is only 13 km away from Taranto and offers a spectacular view of the sea and hills. Let's discover all the details together.
Physical geography
Territory
San Giorgio Ionico is located 75 meters above sea level and has a territorial surface area of 23.56 km². The population density here is 689.6 inhabitants per km². It borders the municipalities of Monteiasi, Monteparano, Carosino, Roccaforzata, Faggiano, and Taranto. It is also located 10 km southwest of Grottaglie. It is interesting to note that within the territory of the Municipality of San Giorgio Ionico, the establishment of nuclear power plants is not allowed, nor the stationing or transit of nuclear weapons and radioactive waste.
Soil Characteristics
San Giorgio Ionico is located on the slopes of a limestone outcropping of Serra Belvedere, the last foothills of the Taranto murge, partially covered with pine forest, which continues towards Roccaforzata and extends to San Crispieri. In ancient times, this range was known as the "hills of Aulone". Towards the north-northwest, in the area between the former railway line "Circum Mare Piccolo Taranto" and the village of San Giovanni, the territory has a slightly sloping altimetric shape. Remarkable is the valley that extends between San Giorgio Ionico and the nearby city of Grottaglie, as extensive as the plain that reaches Pulsano and Leporano.
Seismic Zone
According to the new seismic classification of Italian municipalities, the territory of San Giorgio Ionico falls within the "Seismic Zone 4". This is an area with very low seismic hazard, where the possibility of seismic damage is low and the acceleration with a 10% probability of exceeding in 50 years is ag <0.05g.
Climate
The climate of San Giorgio Ionico is typical of the Mediterranean, characterized by mild winters and hot, dry summers. Atmospheric precipitation is generally low and poorly distributed and mainly concentrated in the autumn-winter period. Snowfall is very rare.
History
San Giorgio Ionico has an ancient history dating back to the Neolithic period. In the 10th century BC it was inhabited by the Iapygians and in Roman times it was definitely located on the route of the Appian Way. From the fall of the Western Roman Empire to the end of the 20th century, San Giorgio Ionico experienced the birth of new settlements on the shores of the Ionian Sea, which gave rise to the formation of the historical quadrilaterals of the town. In the 18th century, it had its maximum power thanks to the presence of baronial nobility who settled on the salt pans of the Ionian coast. On Easter day 1860, Garibaldi's troops arrived in San Giorgio Ionico, engaging in one of the first battles, along with that of Monte Sant'Angelo, for the conquest of Reggio Calabria.
Places of interest
San Giorgio Ionico offers many places of interest, including the historic center of the city, characterized by low houses and narrow streets. In the heart of the historic center, there is Piazza Umberto I that overlooks the Mother Church dedicated to San Giorgio Martire, the most important church in the city. In the same square, there is also the Baronial Palace of Consalvo, where today the municipal library is located. Other places of interest are the Hill of San Martino with its rock villages, the Tower of Charles V, the Church of the Rosary, and the Church of San Giovanni. Don't forget about the beautiful pine forest that surrounds the city, where you can take a relaxing walk in nature.
Events
San Giorgio Ionico is a city that offers many events throughout the year. Among the various patron saint festivals, the one dedicated to San Giorgio Martire, which began today, celebrated on April 23, stands out. Other important events are the Festival of the Madonna Addolorata, the Feast of San Pietro Apostolo, and the Feast of Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo.
Local Cuisine
Finally, you cannot visit a city without savoring its cuisine and in San Giorgio Ionico, there is no shortage of culinary delights. Among the typical dishes of the Taranto area, I recommend trying the tarallini, orecchiette, and fave alla salentina. Don't forget to accompany everything with a good glass of Primitivo di Manduria.
In conclusion, San Giorgio Ionico is a city rich in history and natural beauty, offering many activities and possibilities for all tastes. I hope that this brief tour has intrigued you and that you decide to visit this splendid Apulian city soon.
