All Places in Apulia

Villa Comunale is the largest public park in Trani, located in the eastern part of the town’s harbour. The park is a green oasis which offers locals and visitors a refreshing escape from the bustling town. Known for its scenic views and diverse plant life, Villa Comunale is widely considered one of the most enchanting parks in southern Italy.   SHORT HISTORY OF VILLA COMUNALE Villa Comunale was inaugurated in 1824, and subsequently expanded thanks to the reclamation of the land immediately to the south, on the coast, in the area called Canneto. It was listed among the most beautiful public gardens in southern Italy in the 1937 edition of the Treccani Encyclopedia. On the central avenue of the park, located in front of the main entrance, there is the war memorial, sculpted in 1923 by Antonio Bassi. Walking along the avenue you come across a 19th-century chalet, home to exhibitions and cultural initiatives curated by local artists, and a bandstand, built in 1888 and recently restored and made functional again. In the avenues on the right are collected six milestones of the ancient Via Traiana, coming from the Ruvo-Canosa section.   DESCRIPTION OF VILLA COMUNALE Villa Comunale extends over Read more [...]

Castello Svevo (Swabian Castle) is a spectacular castle in Trani, located near the sea, not far from the Cathedral of San Nicola Pellegrino. The castle is known for its historical and cultural value and is also a popular tourist destination. In 2011, it was the third most visited state museum in Apulia, with a total of almost 50,000 visitors.   SHORT HISTORY OF CASTELLO SVEVO Before the current castle, Trani had already a fortification, whose exact location is unknown, built on the initiative of the Norman King Roger II, and destroyed in 1137. The construction of the Swabian Castle was begun in 1233 by order of the Emperor Frederick II, and the works were completed in 1249, according to the project of Filippo Cinardo, count of Acquaviva and Conversano. The castle was built on a rock located in the center of the Trani harbor, in a shallow water area, which protected it from possible attacks from the sea. On the top of one of the towers overlooking the sea, Frederick II had Pietro Tiepolo, son of the Doge of Venice Jacopo Tiepolo, hanged. Pietro, podestà of Milan, was taken prisoner in the Battle of Cortenuova in 1237. Frederick’s son, Manfred, Read more [...]

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, commonly known as Borgo, is the central square of Monopoli, and one of the largest in Apulia and Italy.   SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE II The square was created in 1796 at the behest of the King of Naples, and built following the project of the royal architect De Simone. In 1848, the square became the center of an anti-Bourbon conspiracy – the liberals of Monopoli promoted a conference of friends of freedom. On the morning of May 18, Borgo welcomed the conspiratorial congressmen, but they did not reach an agreement, the conspiracy failed and the conspirators were sentenced to many years of prison. A plaque commemorates the place where they met, located on the corner of Via Giuseppe Polignani. In 1872, the square was rearranged by the architect Losavio who, partially modifying De Simone’s original idea, opted for a garden-square arrangement. He divided it into two tree-lined rectangles. While it was necessary to wait until 1893 for the trees to grow, it was possible to immediately open, in the middle of the two rectangles, the road that continues Corso Umberto I. The war memorial stands in the southern rectangle of the square, the Read more [...]

Piazza San Benedetto is a small square located in the historical center of Polignano a Mare. Unlike the bustling Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza San Benedetto is less-traveled and exudes the tranquility and timeless beauty of this picturesque town. The square has a calm, almost contemplative ambiance that draws visitors who seek a quieter side of Italian life. Nearby cafes and small family-owned trattorias serve traditional Pugliese food, allowing visitors to enjoy regional dishes in a relaxed setting. Sampling a fresh espresso or a glass of local wine in the square feels like an authentic Italian experience, a way to immerse oneself in the local lifestyle.   SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA SAN BENEDETTO The square takes its name from the Benedictine order of monks, reflecting the area’s deep-rooted Christian heritage. Historically, the square and the structures surrounding it were central to the religious life of Polignano a Mare, especially in the medieval era.   ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA SAN BENEDETTO The square is framed by traditional whitewashed buildings with wrought-iron balconies, often adorned with colorful flower pots that add a touch of color to the scene. The square has the shape of a stylized amphitheater, with stands and benches, and hosts Read more [...]

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is a small picturesque square located in the historical center of Polignano a Mare. The square is a vibrant meeting place, where the people of Polignano gather for daily interactions, social events, and seasonal festivals. Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is home to a variety of cafes, gelaterias, and trattorias, where visitors can sample regional Pugliese delicacies, including the town’s famed focaccia, seafood dishes, and local wines.   SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE II Once a marketplace in the medieval village, the square has remained the social focal point of Polignano a Mare since ancient times. In the past, the square was known as Piazza dell’Orologio, due to the presence of Palazzo dell’Orologio in its northwestern corner. Later, the square was named after the first king of the United Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II.   ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA VITTORIO EMANUELE II In the northeastern corner of the square, there is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria Assunta), the former Cathedral of Polignano a Mare. In 1818, when the small diocese of Polignano was merged with that of Monopoli, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta became the mother church of the village. Inside are Read more [...]

The Church of Santissima Trinita, often referred to as the Church of Trinita, is a small church located in the square of the same name, outside the historical center of Polignano a Mare. The Church of Santissima Trinita is remarkable in its simplicity, offering a tranquil space for worship and reflection amidst the bustling beauty of the Adriatic coast.   SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SANTISSIMA TRINITA The Church of Trinita traces its origins back to the late medieval period, though it has seen several renovations and expansions over the centuries.   ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF TRINITA The Church of Trinita is an example of traditional Italian church architecture, blending simplicity with intricate details. The exterior is marked by a modest facade, with natural stone finishes that have weathered beautifully over time. The interior of the church, with a single nave, is more elaborate than the exterior. The walls are adorned with religious frescoes and sculptures, and the altars are dedicated to specific saints.   HOW TO GET TO THE CHURCH OF SANTISSIMA TRINITA The Church of Trinita is located in Piazza Trinita, about 600 meters away from the Polignano a Mare railway station. On foot, from the Read more [...]

Dimora Amalfitana is a guesthouse in Monopoli, located in the historical center of the city, about 200 meters away from the Old Port. The guesthouse offers rooms that guarantee maximum comfort, characterized by pleasant and modern lines, all located in the same building. All the rooms include a desk and are equipped with a private bathroom, while some rooms feature a balcony. An Italian breakfast is available each morning at the property.   HOW TO GET THERE Dimora Amalfitana is located about 1.2 kilometers away from the Monopoli train station. To find it easily, use the map below.

B&B Al Picchio is a bed and breakfast located in a modern area of Monopoli, about 450 meters away from the historical center of the city. B&B Al Picchio offers air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and free parking nearby. All the rooms come with an LCD TV and a desk. The bathroom includes a hairdryer and free toiletries.   HOW TO GET THERE The B&B Al Picchio is located about 1.4 kilometers away from the Monopoli railway station. To find it easily, use the map below.

Santa Maria 24 is a beautiful apartment in Monopoli, located a few meters from the Castle of Charles V and the Old Port of the city. The apartment features free WiFi and a terrace, and every room is air conditioned and comes with a flat-screen TV. Some rooms feature a seating area, and a coffee machine is available in the apartment. Each room is equipped with a private bathroom fitted with a bidet, free toiletries and a hair dryer.   HOW TO GET THERE The apartment is located on the Lungomare Santa Maria, about 1.4 kilometers away from the Monopoli train station. To find it easily, use the map below.

Palazzo Martinelli-Meo Evoli is a palace built along the ancient walls of Monopoli, close to the Old Port of the city and the Castle of Charles V.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO MARTINELLI-MEO EVOLI The palace was owned, at first, by the Bandino family, then by the Carbonelli and Lentini families, and finally by the Martinelli family, who bought it at the end of the 18th century. The Martinellis were a wealthy family from Mola, relocated here in the second half of the 18th entury, attracted by the commercial opportunities offered by Monopoli.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO MARTINELLI-MEO EVOLI The building, on three levels, overlooks Porto Vecchio. The long facade has 18th-century windows, while the monumental entrance portal and the balconies on the first floor were built in the Neo-Gothic style around the mid-19th century. The loggia, built on a portico with three arches, produces a remarkable scenographic effect, overlooking the port with eight ogival arches in Neo-Gothic style, and a balcony with balustrade. Inside, beyond the wide entrance hall, there is a courtyard with a beautiful open staircase and an 18th-century loggia on three levels.   HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO MARTINELLI-MEO EVOLI Palazzo Martinelli is located about 1.3 Read more [...]

Porto Vechio (Old Port) is an ancient port in Monopoli, located at the northen limit of the historical center of the city. The port is the true home of the typical fishing boats called gozzi (or vozz, in the local dialect), almost 5 meters long, usually painted in bright red and blue. Porto Vecchio, with its red lighthouse, the Castle of Charles V, the beautiful Palazzo Martinelli-Meo Evoli and the typical colorful gozzi boats, is, by far, the most picturesque area of Monopoli.   SHORT HISTORY OF PORTO VECCHIO The history of the Old Port of Monopoli is lost in time and probably coincides with the history of the city itself. Archaeological excavations carried out between 1985 and 2011, have shown the existence of a Messapian city of the 6th century BC, equipped with fortifications overlooking the ancient port. The cove of the ancient port was protected from the winds and had an important natural basin, and it seems beyond doubt that this basin was the place from which the today’s city began to develop. Around the first century AD, the Roman city possessed a large gate with direct access to the quay area. The defensive structure is currently incorporated Read more [...]

Castello di Carlo V (Castle of Charles V) is a 16th century fortress in Monopoli, built during the Spanish domination of the city. The castle is located in the historical center of the city, on a promontory called Punta Pinna, near the Old Port of Monopoli.   SHORT HISTORY OF CASTELLO DI CARLO V The castle was built in the first half of the 16th century by the Emperor Charles V, as part of the coastal fortification system of the area. The works were carried out under the supervision of the Viceroy Don Pedro of Toledo or, according to other versions, under the Marquis Don Ferrante Loffredo, and were finished in 1552. In 1600, the fortress was enlarged and restructured, both on the outside and inside, transforming the castle from a purely defensive structure to a residential one. In the first half of the 19th century, the castle became a prison, which was abolished only in 1969. After it was abandoned for some time, the castle was consolidated in the 1990s, and is now used as a venue for important cultural events, such as painting and photography exhibitions.   ARCHITECTURE OF CASTELLO DI CARLO V The plan of the castle Read more [...]

B&B Casa Dorsi is a bed and breakfast located in the northern area of the historical center of Polignano a Mare, close to the Lama Monachile Beach. The B&B is hosted by an ancient stone house recently renovated. The rooms feature original floors, wooden furniture and wrought-iron beds. All the rooms have an LCD TV and a fridge, and most are air conditioned. The suites and apartments also feature a fully equipped kitchenette.   HOW TO GET THERE The B&B is located about 800 meters away from the Polignano a Mare railway station. Use the map below to find it easily.

Tra le Mura is a guesthouse located in the historical center of Polignano a Mare, about 350 meters away from the Lama Monachile Beach. Tra le Mura offers modern rooms with air conditioning, flat-screen TV and a refrigerator. Some have a balcony and sea view. The guesthouse also features a terrace and free Wi-Fi is available on the property. An Italian breakfast is served every morning on the terrace and includes hot drinks, mineral water and croissants.   HOW TO GET THERE Tra le Mura is located about 550 meters away from the Polignano a Mare train station. Use the map below to find it easily.

Sei Stelle Mama is a bed and breakfast located in Polignano a Mare, in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, near the Palazzo dell’Orologio. The B&B is hosted in a historic building which dates back to the 19th century, with vaulted ceilings and decorated with beautiful friezes. Sei Stelle Mama offers three rooms (Deluxe, Superior and French) united by the excellence of their furnishings. Each room is equiped with mini-bar and the WiFi is available everywhere. A breakfast is served every day from 7.30 am to 10.30 am on the ground floor, on the terrace or in your room.   HOW TO GET THERE Sei Stelle Mama is located about 700 meters away from the Polignano a Mare train station. To find it easily, use the map below.

B&B Dei Serafini is a bed and breakfast located in the historical center of Polignano a Mare, close to the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and Palazzo dell’Orologio. The B&B has a new and exclusive breakfast room, overlooking the sea, where you can enjoy a tasty continental breakfast. In the evening, the breakfast room turns into an exclusive lounge bar, where you can taste great cocktails and some special appetizers.   HOW TO GET THERE The B&B is located about 600 meters away from the Polignano a Mare train station. To find it easily, use the map below.

There are at least two things in Polignano a Mare which remind of the great Italian singer Domenico Modugno. The first is the seafront which bears his name, located in the northwestern part of the city, and the second is the statue dedicated to him, in the immediate vicinity.   DOMENICO MODUGNO Domenico Modugno was born in Polignano a Mare, on January 9, 1928. When he was little, his father taught him to play the guitar and accordion. He wrote his first song at the age of 15. Later, he became a leading figure in theater, television, radio and cinematography. Domenico Modugno won the San Remo Music Festival – the most popular Italian song contest, four times. He starred in 45 films and recorded 230 songs. His most famous song, Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu, universally known as Volare, was released in 1958 and became one of the best-known songs in the world, translated into more than 20 languages. On August 26, 1993, Domenico Modugno held in Polignano a Mare the last major concert of his career, attended by 70,000 people. One year later, he died of heart attack on the island of Lampedusa.   STATUE OF DOMENICO MODUGNO The Read more [...]

Palazzo dell’Orologio, or Clock Palace, is a small palace located in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, in the historical center of Polignano a Mare. The palace is located a few meters away from the Church of St. Mary’s Assumption (Chiesa Matrice Santa Maria Assunta), the former Cathedral of Polignano a Mare.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO DELL’OROLOGIO The palace has medieval origins, and was, originally, part of a convent for nuns. Palazzo dell’Orologio was repurposed over time, and eventually became the seat of the city’s Town Hall. The two ground floor rooms were used as a warehouse for a while and, later, the room in the back was converted into a prison, as attested by the grating which is still visible in Via Tanese Innocente. In the second half of the 18th century, a clock was added to the facade, replacing an old sundial. A small part of the sundial is still visible today, under the clock.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO DELL’OROLOGIO The palace is built on three floors, with a facade embelished by decorations in Rococo style, particularly visible around windows, which hide the medieval origins of the building. Between the two windows of the first floor, under the clock, Read more [...]

Casa Filomena is an apartment in Ostuni, located in the southern area of the city. The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a dining area and 1 bathroom with a bidet and shower. A flat-screen TV with cable channels is available. The apartment offers air conditioning and free WiFi, and features a terrace.   HOW TO GET THERE The apartment is located in Via Pietro Galvani, 21, about 800 meters south of the historical center of the city. To find it easily, use the map below.

Palazzo Stunis Charme B&B is a bed and breakfast located in Ostuni, about 800 meters south of the historical center of the city. Each room of the B&B is equiped with a private bathroom, and provides free WiFi, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. A continental breakfast is available each morning at the bed and breakfast.   HOW TO GET THERE Palazzo Stunis Charme B&B is located on the Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi, 255, in the southern part of Ostuni. To find it easily, use the map below.

Arcuève is a beautiful apartment in Ostuni, located south from the historical center of the city. The apartment is composed of a living room with dining area, a fully equipped kitchen and 2 bathrooms. The apartment features a terrace, free WiFi, air conditioning, flat-screen TV, and a 24-hour front desk.   HOW TO GET THERE The apartment is located about 200 meters away from the southern limit of the old town of Ostuni. To find it easily, use the map below.

Dimora Terra Marique is an apartment located in the beautiful historic center of Ostuni, close to the main tourist attractions of the city. The apartment is equipped with a double bedroom, bathroom with shower, TV, air conditioning, WiFi and mini bar.   HOW TO GET THERE The apartment is located in Via Gaetano Tanzarella Vitale, about 150 meters away from the Cathedral of Ostuni. To find it on foot, use the map below.

The Church of Santa Maria della Stella is a church in Ostuni, located in an interruption of the northern walls of the city.   SHORT HISTORY In the first half of the 16th century, a poor widow, mother of three girls, took care every day, for a month, of an image of the Madonna painted in a niche in the wall of the city, located near a small gate called Porticella. Her gesture was gratified daily by a gift she found in the niche, a coin and a loaf of bread. The place soon became a destination for pilgrimages, and it was decided to build a small chapel in which to place the image of the Virgin. The structure was named, at first, Santa Maria della Porticella. In the last decades of the 16th century, the structure was expanded, and the new church changed its name to Santa Maria della Stella (Saint Mary of the Star). The local bourgeoisie was responsible for the decoration of the interior and for the private chapels of the church. Probably damaged by the earthquake of 1743, despite some interventions made in 1812, the church was closed for worship in 1835 and soon collapsed. Between Read more [...]

The Church of Santa Maria Vergine del Monte Carmelo, or shorter the Church of Carmine, is a beautiful church in Ostuni, located near the southeastern border of the historical center of the city.   SHORT HISTORY The Carmelite Convent in Ostuni, dedicated to Santa Maria della Misericordia, was built in the second half of the 15th century outside the city walls. The convent had a simple, square-shaped form, with a garden in the middle. The adjacent church was built between 1590 and 1593 by the master masons Nicola Francesco de Marseglia and Matteo de Molendinis, assuming the title of Santa Maria del Monte Carmelo. Around the middle of the 17th century, the church had twelve chapels decorated by wealthy citizens, but in 1775 the chapels were reduced to six, plus two minor ones. In the first half of the 18th century, some renovation works were carried out by the architect Giuseppe Fasano, especially in the presbytery area and in the side chapels. In 1810, following the suppression of the Carmelite order in the Kingdom of Naples, the church was entrusted to the care of the Carmine confraternity, active since the 16th century. In 1819, the Carmelites returned to their home Read more [...]

The Cathedral of Ostuni, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is a beautiful church located on the highest hill of the city, right in the middle of the old town, in Piazza Beato Giovanni Paolo II. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 15th century, was declared a national monument in 1902.   SHORT HISTORY Between 1228 and 1229, Frederick II of Swabia built here a Romanesque church, on the ruins of an Orthodox church erected prior to the year 1000. The construction of the Cathedral began after the earthquake of 1456, during the Episcopate of Nicola Arpone, and was completed in 1495. The church was radically transformed twice: in 1750, by the will of the Bishop Francesco Antonio Scoppa, and in 1898, on the behest of the Bishop Salvatore Palmieri.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The facade of the church, facing west, with Gothic elements, is divided into three parts by thin pilasters. The facade has its fulcrum in the large central rosette, in which the Christ is surrounded by seven cherubs. On the lunettes of the side entrances are the bas-reliefs of San Giovanni Battista, on the right, and of San Biagio, on the left. Read more [...]

The Spire of Sant’Oronzo is a column dedicated to Saint Orontius of Lecce, placed in the heart of Ostuni, between the main square of the city, Piazza della Libertà, and the small but beautiful square Piazza Sant’Oronzo. Saint Orontius, a Christian martyr, is venerated by the Roman Catholic Church, being considered the first Bishop of Lecce. Each year, a three-day festival is held in Ostuni between August 25 and 27, in his honor.   SHORT HISTORY The Spire of Sant’Oronzo was built in 1771 by the architect Giuseppe Greco. The column is an ex-voto strongly desired by the faithful to thank the Saint, who protected the city from the plague and the famine in the 18th century.   ARCHITECTURE The spire is about 20 meters in height and was built in Baroque style. The testimony of perennial devotion to the protector of the city is quoted in Latin on epigraphic plates, supported by angels and placed on the first order of the column, on each of the four faces. The next order is crowned by a beautiful balustrade, with four statues on its corners: San Biagio, Sant’Antonio da Padova, Sant’Irene and San Gregorio Armeno, all minor patrons of the city. Read more [...]

The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grata is a small church that stands in a prominent position outside the historical center of Ostuni, surrounded by gardens, in a rural area known as Contrada Rosara.   SHORT HISTORY The first documented information about a church in this place dates back to the beginning of the 18th century. The current church was built between 1896 and 1910 by the architect Gaetano Jurleo, who was also responsible for the facade of the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi. The sanctuary was solemnly consecrated by the Archbishop Tommaso Valeri on August 18, 1912. The old church was then demolished.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The Sanctuary of the Madonna della Grata was built on a natural cistern destined since ancient times to store water necessary for the irrigation of the nearby gardens. To date, this cistern is full of water, causing considerable damage to the church above. The symmetrical facade of the church is made up of two main parts: the base, characterized by the entrance portal and a plinth on which four Corinthian pilasters and four niches are set, and the upper part, characterized by a central semicircular window surmounted by the emblem with the Read more [...]

The Church of San Francesco d’Assisi is a beautiful church located in the main square of Ostuni, Piazza della Libertà, adjacent to the Palazzo di Città (Palace of the City).   SHORT HISTORY The church was founded in 1304 by the Order of the Minor Friars, on a land donated by Philip I, Prince of Taranto. The friars took care of it for the next five centuries, and after the suppression of the religious orders in 1813, the church was given to the Archconfraternity of the Immaculate, which still manages it. In 1615, the Church of San Francesco d’Assisi underwent major transformations, being largely rebuilt. In the second half of the 18th century, the church was renovated under the direction of the master mason and sculptor Giuseppe Fasano, assisted by his son Carlo and by Nicolantonio Maldarella. The facade was designed in 1883 by the architect Gaetano Jurleo, to harmonize it with the adjacent facade of the Palazzo di Città, which today hosts the Town Hall.   ARCHITECTURE The facade of the church is divided into two orders by a cornice. On the upper order, there is an atypical window of Romanesque inspiration. In the lower part, near the door, Read more [...]

Palace Hotel is a 4-star hotel in Bari, located about 250 meters away from the western edge of the historical center of the city, Bari Vecchia. Its 195 rooms, including 18 suites, are furnished with taste and care for details, and offer the best comforts. The hotel’s Terrazza Murat restaurant serves exquisite international cuisine. It is set on the roof garden, on the 7th floor, with wonderful views across Bari’s old town. Breakfast is a sweet and savoury buffet and includes local products. Hotel Palace includes a wide range of meeting rooms, a business center and a well-equipped gym. Free WiFi is provided in the rooms and public areas. The offer is completed with a covered garage of 150 parking spaces.   HOW TO GET THERE The Palace Hotel is located about 1.3 kilometers away from the Bari Centrale train station. The closest bus station is in Piazza Massari, on the bus Lines 2/, 22, 27, 42 and 50, about 130 meters away.

B&B 62 Marinai is a bed and breakfast in Bari, located on the northern part of the Bari Vecchia (Old Bari), about 100 meters away from the Basilica di San Nicola. The Bed & Breakfast takes its name from the square where is located, precisely Piazzetta LXII Marinai (62 Sailors), dedicated to the protagonists of the famous translation of the relics of St. Nicholas. Recently renovated, the property offers three rooms, one on each floor, equipped with private bathroom, central heating, air conditioning, refrigerator, hairdryer, WiFi and digital TV. The rooms are furnished and finished in a sober style. On a comfortable terrace, there is the breakfast area, where guests can spend pleasant moments of relaxation in the warm southern sun.   HOW TO GET THERE The B&B is located in Piazzetta LXII Marinai, about 1.6 kilometers away from the Bari Centrale railway station. To find it easily on the narrow streets of the historical center of Bari, use the map below.

La Muraglia is a B&B located in an ancient two-storey building in the historical center of Bari, about 250 meters away from the Basilica of San Nicholas. The Bed and Breakfast features 3 mini-apartments with private bathrooms, autonomous heating, air-conditioning, WiFi and satellite television. Each apartment is elegantly furnished with taste and simplicity, and each has at least one balcony. The terrace is equipped with lounge chairs and umbrellas, enabling and encouraging the guests to relax and enjoy an amazing view of the sea.   HOW TO GET THERE La Muraglia is located in Str. Annunziata, in the northern part of the Bari Vecchia (Old Bari), about 2 kilometers away from the Bari Centrale railway station. To find it easily, use the map below.

Archita Guest House offers accommodation in a quiet area of Bari, in the Japigia district, close to the Pane e Pomodoro Beach, about 2.5 kilometers away from the historical center of the city. The apartment is on the second floor of a building located on Via Peucetia, which was completely renovated, with the addition of furniture and new equipment. The guest house has 3 large rooms: one double room and two single rooms, with shared bathroom, which can accommodate up to four people. In the apartment is available, free of charge, a fully equipped dining-room with kitchen, refrigerator, microwave oven, toaster and a large supply of pots, pans, plates, glasses and cups. The guest house offers air conditioning, free WiFi, flat screen TV and a washing machine. For guests, it is also available on request a free shuttle service from the Bari Centrale train station to the apartment.   HOW TO GET THERE The closest train station is Bari Marconi, a 4-minute trip by train from the Bari Centrale train station. From the train station, you can walk about 450 meters on Viale Japigia and then about 200 meters on Via Archita. For the precise directions, use the map below. Read more [...]

Palazzo della Banca d’Italia is a palace in Bari, located on the Corso Cavour, between the Palazzo della Camera di Commercio and the Petruzzelli Theater.   SHORT HISTORY The palace was built in 1926 after a design by the architect Accolti Gil, on an area of about three thousand square meters that previously housed the Mercato Coperto (Covered Market). The works lasted six years and the ribbon was cut in October, 1932. The offices of the Bank were transferred here from its original headquarters located in Via Cairoli.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The palace stands on four levels plus a basement. Valuable elements are the public lounge with its Art Nouveau windows, the large staircase leading to the vault and various bas-reliefs of Carrara marble. On the first floor, there can be found the Sala Consiliare (Council Hall), with its huge central chandelier, the fine coffered ceiling, and the director’s office, which still preserves the furniture of 1934. In the Council Hall, there is also a bronze bust depicting Vittorio Emanuele III, which was found only a few years ago in the basement of the building. Banca d’Italia also commissioned the construction of the fountain in front of the building, Read more [...]

Pane e Pomodoro Beach is a small beach in Bari, located on Lungomare Amando Perotti, about 2 kilometers away from the historical center of the city. The beach owes its name, Pane e Pomodoro (Bread and Tomato), to the habit of the people of Bari, when they were sunbathing, to eat simple bread seasoned with tomatoes. The sandy beach is flanked by a large green space equipped with benches and games for children. On the beach, you can find a bar, toilets and showers. In addition to the sandy shore for access to the sea, there are also wooden piers.   HOW TO GET THERE Pane e Pomodoro Beach is located about 2.2 kilometers away from the Bari Centrale train station, or about 30 minutes on foot. Use the map below to find the beach in no time.

Piazza Mercantile is the most important square of Bari, the city’s commercial center since the 14th century, and today a location for cultural events. In the square, we can find the Palazzo del Sedile, with a 16th century clock tower on top, the Palazzo della Dogana, built probably in the 16th century by the Duchess of Milan, Isabella of Aragon, the stone lion, or Colonna infame, and the baroque fountain Fontana della Pigna.   SHORT HISTORY Piazza Mercantile, located close to the Porto Vecchio, was home to the Municipality of Bari since at least the second half of the 15th century, when the Palazzo del Sedile was built. At the beginning of the 17th century, under the Sforzas, the area was subjected to a renewal program, after the event of 1601, when most of the buildings in the square were burned to the ground, including the Palazzo del Sedile and the city’s arsenal. The Palazzo del Sedile was rebuilt soon after the fire and embelished with a bell tower. At the beginning of the 19th century, after the municipal seat of the city moved from the Palazzo del Sedile in Via Palazzo di Città, Piazza Mercantile retained the role of Read more [...]

Palazzo della Provincia is a palace in Bari, part of the larger monumental transformation project of the Lungomare Nazario Sauro during the first decades of the 20th century, which hosts today the Pinacoteca Metropolitana di Bari Corrado Giaquinto (Painting Gallery of Metropolitan City of Bari).   SHORT HISTORY The Provincial Administration commissioned the design of its definitive headquarters in 1930. The palace, completed in 1936, is the result of the collaboration of the best Apulian architects of the time, coordinated by Luigi Baffa. Severely damaged during the Second World War, today the building houses the offices and the council chamber of the Provincial Administration, the Painting Gallery of Metropolitan City of Bari and the Archives of the city.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The building is characterized by eclecticism that recalls the neo-medieval civil architecture. The palace presents itself as an irregular quadrilateral, alternating Trani stone and red bricks. At the center of the rusticated base, there are five large round arches that give access to a portico in two-color marble. Beyond the upper floors, stands a clock tower, an allusion to the bell tower of the Cathedral of San Sabino, also visible from the Lungomare Nazario Sauro. The clock tower Read more [...]

Palazzo del Sedile (Palace of the Seat), known also as the Palazzo dei Nobili, is a palace located in the historical center of Bari, in Piazza Mercantile. The palace, of which today only the facade remains, was once the Town Hall of the city.   SHORT HISTORY The first documented information about a municipal office in Bari dates back to 1466, when the notary Giovanni de Lutiis mentioned a place in Piazza Mercantile, where the Municipality met to discuss the problems of the city. In 1601, a serious disaster occurred, originated from a small fire ignited in Piazza Mercantile, which spread very quickly to the buildings in the square and to the city’s arsenal, where gunpowder and weapons were kept. The explosion caused the death of over 60 people and ruined many buildings, including the municipal palace. In 1602, the palace was rebuilt by the Mayors Nicola Donato and Pietro Ponzo, as a plaque recalls, along with the arsenal and the city wall. In 1604, the Municipality built a small bell tower on top of the building and had a German-manufactured clock installed, which struck every quarter of an hour. The activity of the municipal seat ceased in the early Read more [...]

Porto Vecchio (Old Port) is a small port in Bari, located south-east of the Bari Vecchia, the historical center of the city, enclosed between the Pier of Sant’Antonio and Pier of San Nicola. Inside the port, there are two quays reserved for fishing boats, of 350 and 180 meters. It has 230 berths for boats up to 12 meters in length. The small port is among the most picturesque places in the city, due to the presence of colorful boats and a fish market. At the western edge of the port, we can find the Margherita Theater, and further to the north, on Lungomare Imperatore Augusto, the Fort of Saint Anthony the Abbot.   HOW TO GET THERE Porto Vecchio is located about 1.1 kilometers away from the Bari Centrale railway station, at the northern end of Corso Cavour.

Fortino di Sant’Antonio Abate is a fort located on the eastern edge of the Bari Vecchia, the historical center of Bari, in front of the Pier of Sant’Antonio.   SHORT HISTORY The fort was built for defensive purposes in 1440 on the remains of a tower from 1359. The fort was erected by the Prince of Taranto, Giovanni Antonio del Balzo Orsini, who left his coat of arms on the portal. After the death of the feudal lord, the fort was destroyed by the people of Bari, and then rebuilt between 1501 and 1524 by Isabella of Aragon, Duchess of Milan, and Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, as part of the renewal of the defensive system of the city. Later, the fort was demilitarized and, in 1847, it was taken over by the Municipality. During the following years, the structure was neglected and continued to deteriorate, falling into a state of semi-ruin. The fort was later definitively restored by the Municipality, and today it can be admired in all its splendour. Its spaces are currently used for cultural events.   ART A graceful wooden statue of the Saint Anthony the Abbot, also known as Saint Anthony the Great, to whom Read more [...]

The Cathedral of San Sabino is the cathedral of Bari, dedicated to Saint Sabinus of Canosa, whose relics were brought to the city in the 9th century.   SHORT HISTORY In the first half of the 11th century, the Archbishop Bisanzio built a church on this ground, later completed by his successors Nicola I and Andrea II. This church was later destroyed by William I, called the Bad, during the destruction of the city from 1156. The current church, which dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, was built by Archbishop Rainaldo on the ruins of the Byzantine cathedral, inspired by the style of the Basilica of San Nicola. For the work, materials from the previous church and from other destroyed buildings were used. The cathedral was consecrated on October 4, 1292. Starting with the 18th century, the building underwent a series of renovations, demolitions and additions. During those times, the facade, the interior of the naves, the interior of the ancient baptistery and the crypt were rebuilt in baroque forms on a design by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro.   ARCHITECTURE The church is an important example of Apulian-Romanesque architecture. The simple facade is divided by two pilasters in three Read more [...]

Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of San Nicholas) is a beautiful church located in the historical center of Bari, one of the most significant examples of the Apulian-Romanesque architecture.   SHORT HISTORY The church was built in Romanesque style between 1087 and 1103, during the Norman domination of Apulia, to host the relics of Saint Nicholas, translated from Myra, Lycia, to Bari, on May 9, 1087. The relics were temporarily housed in the Monastery of St. Benedict. On October 1, 1089, the relics were transferred to the crypt of the unfinished basilica by Pope Urban II, who came to Bari specifically for this. The construction of the basilica was completed in 1103.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE The simple and majestic facade of the basilica is divided in three parts by pilasters, crowned with small arches, has mullioned windows at the top and three portals at the bottom. Two bell towers of different styles flank the facade. The sides are characterized by deep blind arches and rich doors. Blind arches at the bottom and mullioned windows at the top animate the transept and the apse wall, decorated in the middle by a large window. The interior is divided in three naves Read more [...]

Castello Normanno-Svevo (Norman-Swabian Castle) is an imposing fortress in Bari, located on the western edge of the Bari Vecchia (Old Bari), the historical center of the city.   SHORT HISTORY The medieval fortification dates back to 1132. The castle was built at the behest of the Norman King Roger II, and was destroyed in 1156 by King William of Sicily, nicknamed the Bad, when he razed the entire city to the ground, except for some places of worship. The fortress was rebuilt in 1233, when the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II ordered its reinforcement. The castle underwent numerous transformations in the Angevin period, when Charles of Anjou carried out an extensive restoration involving the north wing of the castle, under the guidance of the architects Pietro d’Angicourt and Giovanni di Toul. Then, the castle became property of Duke Ferdinand of Aragon, who donated it later to the ducal Sforza family. The latter disposed the enlargement of the fortress, which shortly after passed into the hands of Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, who died there in 1557. During this time, the castle underwent radical transformations to adapt to the new demands dictated by the development of heavy artillery. Later, the building Read more [...]

Teatro Margherita is one of the historic theaters of Bari, which currently is undergoing restoration. The theatre will soon be converted into a museum of contemporary art.   SHORT HISTORY Teatro Margherita was built to replace the Varietà Margherita, a wooden theater inaugurated on September 5, 1910, which was the subject of violent criticism by both local entrepreneurs, who presented a similar project without obtaining authorization, and by the Petruzzelli family, the owners of the Petruzzelli Theater, which saw in it a potential competitor. The theater was built between 1912 and 1914 near the Old Port of Bari, on pillars, to escape the pact signed between the City of Bari and the Petruzzelli family, according to which the Municipality was committed not to build other theaters on the municipal ground. The Margherita Theater was designed in Art Nouveau style by Francesco De Giglio. He collaborated with Luigi Santarella to make the theater the first building in Bari in reinforced concrete, and unique in Europe for the particular construction on pillars. Being entirely surrounded by water, the theater was connected to the mainland by a pier. The inauguration of the theater took place on August 22, 1914. The theater was damaged Read more [...]

Teatro Petruzzelli is the largest theater in Bari and the fourth largest in Italy. Owned until the fire of 1991 by the Messeni Nemagna family, the theater is currently being disputed between the City of Bari and the previous owners.   SHORT HISTORY In 1896, the traders and ship builders Onofrio and Antonio Petruzzelli, originating from Trieste, presented to the Municipality of Bari the project of a new theater by the architect Angelo Cicciomessere, husband of their sister, Maria. Their proposal was accepted and, two years later, in 1898, the work began, financed exclusively by the Petruzzelli family. The theater was frescoed by Raffaele Armenise and decorated in pure gold. Also, the theater was equipped with heating and electric light, and it had a capacity of 2,192 seats. The works were completed in 1903, and the theater was inaugurated on February 14, 1903, with Les Huguenots by the German opera composer Giacomo Meyerbeer. In addition to operas and ballets, important concerts were held at the Petruzzelli Theater. Over time, many great artists performed on its stage: Herbert von Karajan, Rudolf Nureyev, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli and Luciano Pavarotti. On the night of October 27, 1991, the theater was Read more [...]