Mottola is a town and comune in the province of Taranto and region of Apulia in southeast Italy. It stands on a hill 387 m above mean sea level in the sub-region of Murgia. It is also called "The Ionian Spy" for its strategic geographical position. From various points of the town all of the Gulf of Taranto can be seen. The economy is based mostly on agriculture and food production (olives, wine, citrus fruits, vegetables). Tourism and the manufacture of wooden fixtures are also being developed.

History

Mottola's hill was inhabited since prehistory, as testified by several findings from that age. In 1023, a castellum was built here by Byzantine catapan Basil Boioannes. During the subsequent Norman domination, the town became a diocese until 1818, when it lost the title for Castellaneta. In 1653 the fief was sold to Francesco Caracciolo, Duke of Martina Franca. After the Italian unification, Mottola was a center of Brigandage.

Geography and climate

Mottola enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate, with the greatest amounts of precipitation mainly occurring from mid-October to mid-April; any precipitation is sparse during summer and it generally takes the form of showers and/or thunderstorms. The average temperature varies from a low of 5 C in January to a high of 28 C in July and August. The wettest months are December and March averaging between 15 and 20 cm. Fog is highly usual in the town centre but it is less frequent in the outskirts, specially in the south part. Spring and fall (autumn) are considered ideal seasons for sightseeing and various outdoor activities. Summers can be particularly hot.

Main sights

Archaeological sites

Mottola country is rich of karsts called "gravine", usually situated in the south side of the town. The most important are Forcella, San Biagio, di Capo Gavito and Petruscio. The last one is certainly the most predominant.

Holy Week rites

There are numerous religious events during the Holy Week in Mottola. These events are characterized by typical processions, celebrating the Passion, made by hooded faithfuls called "paranze" in the last days of the week. The processions take place through the streets of the historical centre and end in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel church, that is also the organizer church.

Notable people