Bari is a major city and port of Italy, the capital of the Puglia region. Locals compare it with Paris, noting that for the complete similarity of the latter, only the sea is missing. In addition, Bari has a huge number of attractions, which makes it even more attractive for tourists. The city is often called the cultural capital of the southern part of Italy, and this is quite justified. Let’s take a closer look at the sights of Bari, what is remarkable about the center of Puglia that it can show its guests.
The Basilica of St. Nicholas as the main attraction of Bari in Italy
Let’s start exploring the city with religious sites, the main one of which is the Basilica of St. Nicholas. It is of great importance for the country, Europe as a whole and the whole of Christianity. The construction of the temple took place in 1087-1197, so in addition to its religious significance, one should not underestimate its architectural significance.
Basilica of St. Nicholas in Bari Francesco9062
The history of the construction of the shrine is connected with the relics of St. Nicholas, which were originally located in Turkey. But, it was decided to move them to ensure greater security. And the choice fell on Bari, because this holy city once passed on the way to Rome, and expressed a desire to be buried here. The relics were moved to the city in 1087, from which the history of the great basilica begins.
If we talk about the modern look of the building, it is somewhat different from the original version. It underwent several stages of restoration, which took place in the 13th, 17th and 20th centuries. Recent restoration work has been characterized by a certain change in the original style. But, in general, they tried to keep the basilica as it was.
The Ciborium (pyx) in the Basilica of St. Nicholas Porcullus Marek Postawka
Today, the church has a museum, which contains numerous art objects of high value to the Italian people. Special attention is drawn to the collection of candlesticks, which in the 12th century were donated to the temple by King Charles I of Anjou.
On December 6, Italians celebrate St. Nicholas Day. On this day, myrrh is collected from the tomb, which exudes relics, if you believe the beliefs. It is distributed in small containers and sent around the world. Believers talk about the numerous miracles created by the world, so this ritual is of great importance and value.
Arches with the coats of arms of their patrons Tango7174
We have reviewed a brief description of the main attraction of Bari in Italy. Indeed, it is the basilica that tourists arriving on vacation want to see first of all. It allows you to reconsider your worldview, feel peace and tranquility, and look at the world in a completely different way.
See the beautiful places of Bari in this wonderful video!
What other attractions are there on the map of Bari in Italy
It was mentioned above that the city is a center of culture and religion, and thanks to its centuries-old history, it can boast of many unique objects of great importance to the country and the world as a whole. Therefore, looking through the description and photos of the sights of Bari in Italy, you will definitely note these:
Bari-Vecchia
This is the old part of the city, characterized by a close location of buildings, small narrow streets. Nevertheless, it holds great value. Everyone who has ever been here is sincerely surprised how about 40 churches and more than 120 sanctuaries could fit in such an area. Trying to accurately recalculate them or find a specific object is almost useless. The quarter is like a maze, so it’s better to just walk through its streets, enjoying the unusual atmosphere and romance. Previously, there were rumors that crime was actively flourishing in Bari-Vecchia, petty thieves and pickpockets were found at every turn. But, to date, the authorities have managed to correct the situation. They did everything possible so that tourists could safely visit this part of the settlement;
Bari-Vecchia or Old Bari N i c o l a
Castello Svevo
Citizens and guests of Italy mark this landmark in a special way on the map of Bari in Italy. We are talking about the Swabian castle, built back in 1132. The Norman ruler Roger II became the organizer of the construction. But, a little more than 20 years later, the castle was destroyed by William I of Sicily, after which it was rebuilt for a long time. Of course, it was no longer possible to reproduce the original architectural style and recreate all the former features. But, Castello Svevo is appreciated for how many different transformations and events he had to endure. This place has a long, rich history, which should be known to anyone who plans to visit the castle;
Castello Svevo in Bari Berthold Werner
Official website: https://www.musei.puglia.beniculturali.it
Grotte di Castellana
Grotte di Castellana is another important landmark of Bari in Italy. We are talking about a system of underground caves that are millions of years old. Someone admires their unique appearance, someone amusingly notes that they look like a habitat for small dwarfs. In any case, the object is worthy of attention. Previously, an underground river flowed at the site of the caves. It was she who washed out numerous limestone passages. Previously, they only caused problems for local residents, but today they have become one of the most popular stops on tourist routes. The caves have been cleaned and improved, so you can safely travel through them, enjoying the surrounding beauty;
Grotte di Castellana in Bari Giorgio Galeotti
The Cathedral
It is not as popular among tourists as the Basilica of St. Nicholas, but it is an older building, which is why it has a high value. Researchers suggest that the building dates back to the 12th century. It was then that the foundation of the building was laid, which has been preserved to this day;
Facade of the Cathedral of Bari Jean-Christophe BENOIST
Pinacoteca Provinciale
Pinacoteca Provinciale is the main art museum of the region. It is notable for the remains of sculptures, works of other types of art dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries. There are also works by famous artists of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. It is in the Pinacoteca Provinciale that one can clearly see how painting and sculpture have developed over time, clearly tracking all changes. Even the building itself cannot remain without attention, because it looks like a gorgeous bright palace.
View of the Metropolitan Art Gallery in Bari L. K.
This is not all that you can see in an Italian city. Many interesting and important sights for Italy are concentrated in the Mola di Bari. It is a small commune with about 25,000 inhabitants. But, walking around the area, each guest will be able to get a huge amount of vivid emotions. Numerous ancient buildings have been preserved here, each of which has its own unique history. And to make the trip more informative, it is better to walk around the area, having a guidebook where all the important places are marked, their brief description is given. Also, local guides in Bari will be happy to arrange an individual or group tour of Bari for you. This option will be more effective, because it will be possible to get the maximum amount of useful information without wasting extra time searching for an object.
When to go to Bari to explore the sights and relax
To ensure that sightseeing is not overshadowed by unforeseen weather factors, you should take a responsible approach to choosing the time to plan your trip. An increased influx of tourists has been observed in the city since April. In the middle of spring, it is quite warm outside, and the sea is warmed up to 20 degrees. This allows you to successfully combine city walks and beach holidays. Dry and hot weather is observed in summer. The thermometer columns show 28-30. The beach season lasts until mid-October. There are practically no frosts in the Italian town in winter. Often the air temperature is +5 or more. The temperature is not too comfortable for active travel, so mostly foreign guests visit Bari from April to November.
A convenient means of transportation for tourists in Bari
Getting to your destination is not difficult. There is an airport 8 kilometers from the city. It accepts both domestic and international flights. There are buses from the airport that will quickly take guests to their destination.
In addition to the city of Bari, we recommend visiting other attractions of Puglia.Read also about the sights of Genoa and be inspired to travel further in Italy.
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