The places of the tarantula: discovering Galatina
2 minutes
From the Middle Ages until the twentieth century, men and especially women who, according to popular tradition, had been bitten by the tarantula would come to Galatina. In the heart of Salento, this town preserves one of the most fascinating chapters of local culture: that of tarantism, a phenomenon that for centuries has intertwined popular beliefs, rituals, music and religion, becoming one of the most recognizable symbols of Salento's identity.
Tarantism and the power of dance
While working in the fields, especially during the summer months, it was believed that the bite of the tarantula caused states of suffering, agitation and deep unease. The affected individuals, known as "tarantate", relied on a ritual based on music and dance to regain balance and well-being. To the relentless beat of the tambourines, the body moved with jumps, twirls and rapid, circular movements: a practice that took on a liberating function and transformed dancing into a genuine ritual therapy shared by the community.
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul and the tradition of Saint Paul
The healing journey often ended at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, a symbolic landmark of the city. Here, the faithful invoked the intercession of the two saints to obtain deliverance from their ailments. According to a legend deeply rooted in local tradition, Saint Paul stopped in Galatina during his travels and granted a local family the gift of healing people affected by the venom of dangerous animals. This belief gave rise to the strong link between the town and the phenomenon of tarantism, which has been nurtured over the centuries by popular devotion.
From history to pizzica: a living legacy
The anthropologist Ernesto de Martino also helped to make tarantism known far beyond the borders of Salento. In the late 1950s, he studied its social and symbolic significance in a famous field study. Today, the original ritual belongs to history, but its legacy lives on in the pizzica, the traditional Salento dance that has evolved from an ancient ritual instrument into one of the most beloved artistic expressions of Southern Italy. Visitors to Galatina not only discover a town rich in art and history but also come into contact with a cultural heritage that continues to convey, through music and traditions, the most authentic soul of Salento.
