The historic center of Taranto, simply Taranto Vecchia for the people of Taranto, has been the heart of the city since the times of Magna Graecia. It is an island connected to the rest of the city by two bridges: Girevole and San Francesco (or stone) and present winding alleys, tunnels, typical fishermen's houses, as well as the San Cataldo Cathedral, the Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to San Domenico Maggiore, the church of Sant'Andrea degli Armeni who stayed here during the Turkish assaults, other churches of very important historical and artistic importance and sixteenth and eighteenth century noble palaces. Of international importance are the birthplace of composer Giovanni Paisiello and Mario Costa, lyricist of the most beautiful songs of the Neapolitan melodic tradition. Here the Jonico University Campus was born, whose main office is located in the former Rossarol barracks (in turn a former Franciscan convent) and it is possible to visit the MuDi (diocesan museum), the underground hypogea, the sea museum located in the Pantaleo noble palace , buy souvenirs in small artisan shops and eat excellent freshly caught fish, but above all seafood and the queen of Taranto mythiculture, known and famous all over the world, the mussel.