The inclusion of Taranto, the capital of the province of the same name in the Apulia region, on a list of Italy's ugliest cities caused controversy on social media. The ranking was published on TikTok by an app that organizes group trips. The post went viral and divided opinions.
The list only mentions four cities, leaving the top spot open for followers to comment on. Rovigo comes in fifth, described as "often overlooked by tourists and with underappreciated historical potential."
Gela, in the Sicily region, in the province of Caltanissetta, is fourth, criticizing the impact of its industrial past on the urban landscape.
In third place, Taranto was cited as "a beautiful city, but marked by environmental problems linked to the former Ilva steel mill." Second place went to Corigliano-Rossano, criticized for "complex land management and urban maintenance failures."
Reactions defend Taranto's heritage
Taranto's presence on the list generated the most attention. Hundreds of users spoke out in defense of the city, including those from other regions of Italy.
"From Campania, I can say that including Taranto on this list is blasphemy. It has its problems, but it's beautiful," commented a user from Naples. A Roman added: "Taranto is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, I tell you this as a Roman."
Citizens of Taranto also reacted with pride. They noted that the municipality was elected one of the sunniest cities in the country in 2025. They also highlighted the city's Magnolian heritage and invited tourists to visit the site.
With approximately 190,000 inhabitants, Taranto is the second most populous city in Puglia and is nicknamed the "city of two seas" because it lies between the Great Sea and the Small Sea. Founded in the 8th century BC under the name of Taras, it became one of the principal cities of Magna Graecia.
Among its monuments, the Aragonese Castle is the most famous. Located at the southern tip of the island, home to the historic center, it is protected by the FAI—Italian Environmental Fund—for its historical and architectural value.
First position becomes a dispute in the comments
The top spot on the list wasn't revealed in the video. The profile responsible for the content asked users to suggest the city they thought deserved the spot.
Among the most frequently mentioned suggestions in the comments is Foggia, also located in Puglia. "Foggia, unfortunately. Only those who don't know it can say otherwise," wrote one user. In response, a resident countered: "I live in Foggia, and it's wonderful."
