Discover Bari

Discover the history and the news about Bari and the surrounding area

The History of Bari

The millenial city of Bari, on the Adriatic Coast, has a fascinating and rich history that has evolved through the centuries. Founded by the ancient Peucetians, it was conquered by Greeks, Romans and Byzantines. However, the
crucial moment in the history of Bari was in 1071 when it was conquered by the Normans and it thrived as a commercial and cultural centre in the mediterranean area. During the Middle Age, Bari became a fortified city with churches and walls and a place of pilgrimage thanks to the Basilica of St Nicholas where the remains of St Nicholas Of Myra are kept. Today, exploring Bari means losing in plenty of cultures and traditions, discovering the roots of one of the most charming and vibrant city in Southern italy.

We are locatedin a strategic position, in the heart of Bari

The Basilica of Saint Nicholas

The Basilica of saint Nicholas, in the heart of the old town, is a stunning example of Puglia’s Romanesque architecture. It is a pontifical Basilica and this means that its affiliation to a particular religion depends directly on The Holy see. This new juridical status dates from 1929 (Lateran treaty), when the Italian state with all the properties of the Basilica renounced direct control of the king on the clergy’s life and leads the Holy see into this jurisdiction. In 1951, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas was entrusted to the Dominican Order that is still in charge, focusing on the ecumenical aspects.

The Cathedral of Saint Sabinus

It is one of the most shining examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture in Bari. Built between the 12th and 13th century on the ruins of the Byzantine cathedral destroyed by the Norman William the Bad, the cathedral has a bright limestone facade, adorned with arches, pillars and a rose window with a historiated lintel. You must admire the transept, with rose windows and mullioned windows, the “trulla” (an ancient baptistery converted into a sacristy) and the bell tower with its high spire. The three-nave interior, stripped of its baroque stuccoes at the beginning of the twentieth century, appears solemn and harmonious, soberly decorated with elements carved in exposed limestone. On 21st June, the day of the summer solstice, there is an unusual phenomenon in the cathedral: around 5 p.m., the sun’s rays that penetrate the 18 segments of the rose window on the facade perfectly match the petals of the rose that adorns the floor of the nave.

The Russian Orthodox Church

The Russian Church dates back to the early 20th century. The building of this church immediately attracted the neighbourhood that at that time was expanding. In 1911, the Imperial Orthodox Palestine Society ordered Aleksej Viktorovic Scusev to build the temple, whose foundation stone was laid on May 22, 1913. Bari and Russian authorities gifted a great icon of Saint Nicholas painted according to ancient models. The ceremony that lasted for one hour, ended with a thanksgiving speech by the mayor of Bari Mr Fiorese and the Russian prince Nikolai Davydovich Zhevakhov. The construction of the church was completed after the end of the first world war. Since then, the number of pilgrimages has become increasingly larger. After the Russian Revolution, following the Diaspora, Greek orthodox Christians became much more than Russian ones. In 1937 the ownership of this Church was taken by the municipality of Bari. Few years ago it was restored and now it continues to be a true point of reference between East and West.

The Petruzzelli Theatre

The Teatro Petruzzelli is the largest theatre in Bari and the fourth Italian theatre by size. It is located in the city centre. The theatre was inaugurated on Saturday 14 February 1903 with Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots. The theatre hosted many great artists such as Beniamino Gigli, Mario Del Monaco, Alfredo Kraus, Renata Tebaldi, Tito Schipa, Renato Bruson, Pietro Mascagni, and Herbert Von Karajan. In addition to operas, also ballets and big concerts were presented. Many great international and Italian artists have performed at the Petruzzelli including Wanda Osiris, Totò, Nino Taranto, Macario, Joséphine Baker, Lucio Battisti, Claudio Baglioni, Milva, Rudolf Nureyev, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli, Juliette Gréco, Eduardo De Filippo, Dario Fo, Riccardo Muti, Carla Fracci, Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Katia Ricciarelli, Rajna Kabaivanska, Piero Cappuccilli, Cecilia Gasdia, Giorgio Gaber, and many others.

The Margherita Theatre

Teatro Margherita was built between 1912 and 1914 in the old port, on pillars placed in the sea. It was built with a Liberty Style structure. On August 22, 1914 at 9pm it was opened under the name of Kursaal Margherita with a rich list of variety shows including the best show of the Cafè-chantant and many other spectacular events. Later the restoration work began and since it was totally surrounded by water, the theatre was connected to the mainland through a boardwalk.

Fortino Of Saint Antonio Abate

The Fortino di SaintAnthony is one of the most characteristic elements of the wall surrounding the Old Town, Bari Vecchia; it is located in one of the highest points of these walls. Its history began precisely in 1440 when the Duke of Bari and the Prince of Taranto, Giovanni Antonio Del Balzo Orsini, that put his coat of arms on the entrance door, decided to build a watchtower on existing walls where probably there was a small church dedicated to Saint Antonio Abate. This church was destroyed after the death of the feudal lord. During the 16th century, it was completely rebuilt at the behest of Isabella of Aragon.

The Archaeological Museum of Santa Scolastica

The Archaeological Museum of the Metropolitan City of Bari displays the finds that date back to 4000 years, from the Prehistory to the Middle Age. Initially, the building that houses the Santa Scolastica Museum was a Benedictine monastery included in a bastion of the defensive walls. Newest excavations have brought to light the archaeological remains of different periods such as the byzantine church of San Giovanni and San Paolo with a wonderful mosaic floor, the remains of a Medieval fortress and a Roman domus and an ancient village dating back to the Bronze Age. Outside the monastery there is the archaeological area and the ancient medieval church of San Pietro. It is a very important museum for its variety of architectural, archaeological and historical values and here it is possible to admire prehistoric stone tools, a lot of Daunian, Peucetian, Messapian, Apulian, Greek pottery but also coins from Magna Grecia, stone and earthenware sculptures, ancient jewelry, precious stones, bronze works and Greek and Roman epigraphic material.

The Swabian Castle of Bari

Symbol of the city and the history of Bari, with its imposing trapezoidal structure, it stands in the oldest part of the city, between the Cathedral and the port. Its building was ordered by Ruggero II after the Norman conquest of Bari. It was built in 1131 on a pre-existing settlement from the Byzantine era. Severely damaged during the reign of William the Bad, it was rebuilt by Frederick II of Swabia. Still today it is possible to admire the signs of Frederick the Stupor Mundi on the entrance door, in the atrium and in the gallery among architraves, cornices, corbels and capitals. In the 13th century, King Charles I of Anjou ordered the renovation of the north wing, adding three elegant Gothic mullioned windows facing on to the sea.

Fizzarotti Palace

Situated above the underground spring known as “Mare Isabella,” Fizzarotti Palace exhibits multiple architectural layers. Inside, remnants from the 13th century can be observed, reflecting the presence of former convents and refreshment stations that existed outside the medieval city walls. It was commissioned by Emanuele Fizzarotti, a prominent banker and entrepreneur and its design was entrusted to the engineer Ettore Bernich and the Architect Augusto Corradini. The architect ordered the building of the second and the third floor, renewing the entire structure, symbol of real Italian eclecticism. It is a Venetian Gothic style building with Arabic and Apulian Romanesque details. Its façade that overlooks the city skyline and the Corso Vittorio Emanuele II has at the both ends two towers with two domes on the top decorated with gold leaf mosaics and pinnacles.

Bari City Hall

Today, Palazzo di Città (Bari City Hall) seems to “frame” the Piccinni Theatre and it was constructed in different times. It was completed and inaugurated in 1854 after a lot of changes that were made to the original design made by the architect, Antonio Niccolini. In 1863, the part of the building located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele at the corner of Via Roberto da Bari finally became the City Hall and in 1867, the construction of the opposite wing was started in order to house the Palace of Justice. During the years, the building has changed: a second floor for the Mayor and his officials’ rooms was added to the original building. The institutional rooms of Palazzo di Città such as the Mayor’s Cabinet and the Giunta Chamber have a relevant artistic value with their canvas and portraits. The construction of the Piccinni theatre and the new City Hall represents an era of rebirth in Bari in the 19th century and still represents the story and the pride of the city.

Fish Market

Known from local people as “N’derr la lanz,” the Fish Market is the perfect location in the city centre to enjoy the sunset by the sea and admire the view of the exceptional Teatro Margherita. It is the meeting place for fishermen during the day and at night it becomes a meeting place for local young people thanks to the presence of a small kiosk called “Chiringuito” (Rossini Brewery, founded in 1950). A must-try is the aperitif with Peroni beer and “Panzerotto” (fried pizza dough filled with tomato and mozzarella cheese) if you want to feel like locals.

Old City

In the heart of Italy’s southern region of Puglia, overlooking the Adriatic Sea, lies the historic, beautiful and culture-rich city of Bari characterized by sinuous alleys that link places of interest such as the Cathedral of S. Sabino, dated back 18th century and the Fortino of S. Antonio. The various squares full of restaurants, coffee bars and shops hold also museums and a lighthouse. In the area, there are theatres for performing arts, including the famous Petruzzelli theatre.