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Bari, Italy

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Bari, Italy

Discover Bari’s hidden treasures! Its rich, sultry mixture of cultures – Norman, Arabic, Roman – is evident in its beautiful Old Town, which is peppered with antiquities and some fine restaurants and bars, offering tremendous seafood. Take a tour of the ancient city of Matera and relive man’s way of life from the Stone Age to present. Discover the city of “Sassi,” the city of a hundred rocky churches. Visit the Basilica of St. Nicholas, the Cathedral of St. Sabinus, Norman-Svevian Castle. Soak up the atmosphere that inspired Mel Gibson to film “The Passion of Christ” in this small town.

Average Temperature in September is high 70’s for highs, and mid 60’s for lows.

Below is a short overview of Bari, Italy.  For more detailed information click on the link below which includes the history of Bari, maps and photos of some of the most famous places you may want to visit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bari

General Information

Bari is the second biggest city in Southern Italy in the Apulia region bordering on the Adriatic Sea and is a blend of an ancient and modern city.  In the old city there are the remains of the civilizations that governed Bari history. The Romans turned Bari into a very rich port able to host dozens of ships, which transported wine and wheat coming from the country in large quantities. The Byzantines developed the city's commerce until the Normans came and transformed Bari to the architectural point of view, building churches, portals and palaces. Surrounded by the ancient walls, the old part of the city is a sprawl of streets and passageways.  In the middle of the village you can visit the Cathedral and the Basilica of St Nicholas. The reign of Gioacchino Murat (1813) marks the beginning of modern expansion, built with a precise grid pattern, divided in straight roads. Here you can find the Archaeological Museum and the Provincial Art Gallery.

Places to Visit

The Basilica (church) of St Nicholas (Patron Saint of Bari) is the most popular example of the Apulian Romanesque style. It was built in 1087, the year when the sailors from Bari stole St Nicholas’ mortal remains in Asia and carried them to Bari.  The facade is made of white limestone; inside the Basilica you can find medieval sculptures such as the ciborium (holy wafer box) and the papal throne called "Elia's Chair", both dating back to XII century.  The embossed silver altar and the golden wooden ceiling portray some episodes and miracles of St Nicholas’ life.

The Cathedral of St. Sabinus is the current Duomo (Italian term for cathedral meaning prominent church) of the city built in the first half of the 11th century and reconstructed in the last decades of the 12th century following the destruction of the city by William “the evil” in 1156. The new building, built between 1170-1178, is an important example of Apulian Romanesque architecture (the architecture of Europe which emerged in the late 10th century). In the upper part is a rose window decorated with monstrous and fantasy figures. The crypt houses the relics of St. Sabinus.

Norman-Svevian Castle (The Swabian Castle): is one of the monuments in the city visited more than any others by tourists. Federico II from Swabia ordered its construction between 1233 and 1240; the Castle was built on the ruins of a building dating back to the Norman age. The huge castle is composed of two separate parts. The true castle is named “stronghold” with Byzantine-Norman origin The side facing the sea still maintains the original portal and the beautiful two-light windows of the construction originally built in 1200.

Food and Fun

Bari cuisine is very special and typical, rich with fish such as dentex (African red fish) with olives, Saint Nicholas gilthead fish, anchovies and octopus. Cakes are also delicious, such as the cartellate, taralli and the royal cake. Exquisite wines in Bari province comprise the Primitivo, the Castel del Monte and Trani Muscat.
There are pizzerias for every type of pizza.

There's plenty to do - Spend a day at the beach or the gorgeous countryside.  Museums and churches are abundant in Bari, combining modern entertainment with a marvelous taste of history.   There are plenty of places to shop.  Bari has a little touch of everything, from the Metropolis scene to a stroll back to ancient history.

Local Currency

The Euro (EUR), the currency of the European Union, is the official currency of Italy. Many stores and restaurants also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate. When shopping, remember there is a Value-Added Tax added to most purchases.

Costa offers group excursions. For those interested click on the link below and enter Eastern Mediterranean as destination, Italy as country and then Bari as port of call.

Excursions Finder