LANDMARKS
Bari Vecchia
Region / Quarter
MUST TO SEE
ABOUT
Bari Vecchia is a magical and fascinating place, where history and tradition merge and create an incredibly charming atmosphere. It is the old part of Bari, the San Nicola district, located within the ancient walls and on the peninsula enclosed between the city's two ports. It has has this name since the 19th century, to distinguish it from the new city, built in 1813 under Joachim Murat.
ACCESS
Free
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Largo Albicocca
Square / Fountain
MUST TO SEE
ABOUT
Largo Albicocca - Piazza degli Innamorati is a picturesque square that exudes a romantic charm, making it a favorite spot for couples and visitors alike. The square is adorned with beautiful lighting, quaint benches, and lush greenery, creating an inviting atmosphere for leisurely strolls and intimate conversations.
ACCESS
Free
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Piazza Mercantile
Square / Fountain
MUST TO SEE
ABOUT
Piazza Mercantile is one of the most famous and historic squares in the city of Bari. Built in medieval, it immediately acquired its social, political and economic relevance. Located in the heart of the ancient village of Bari (the famous Bari Vecchia), Piazza Mercantile still enjoys a considerable turnout of young people, families and tourists.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Via di Arco Basso
Street
MUST TO SEE
ABOUT
In the heart of the old city of Bari there is a street renamed "the street of the ears" or "road of the ears". The street in question is officially called Strada Arco Basso , characterized by a small tunnel which, once crossed, leads to the oldest tradition Bari Vecchia , that of the production of the fantastic and highly sought-after Bari Orecchiette.
The orecchiette prepared by housewives in front of people are a real attraction of the historic center of Bari, as well as representing an original cross-section of Apulian daily life. The delicious fresh pasta (then left to dry on wooden benches) can also be purchased from the ladies themselves; In fact, these women, to allow tourists to take home the typical taste of Bari's orecchiette, place the fresh pasta in simple plastic bags so as to allow people to return home with a tasty Apulian "souvenir".
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Basilica Cattedrale M. Primaziale San Sabino
Religious Building
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
The Cathedral of San Sabino (St. Sabinus), formerly called the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (St. Mary of the Assumption) faces, in all its grandeur, onto Piazza dell'Odegitria (literally, Square of the Hodegetria; “Our Lady who shows the way”).
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Basilica Pontificia San Nicola
Religious Building
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
The Basilica of St. Nicholas was built in the late 11th century to shelter and venerate the relics of St. Nicholas that reached Bari on May 9th, 1087 from the homonymous church in Myra, Lycia (modern-day Turkey). The classical Romanesque-style basilica is located within the ancient fortified citadel, once occupied by the Catapan Court.
Bari's signature basilica was one of the first Norman churches to be built in southern Italy, and is a splendid (if square and solid) example of Pugliese-Romanesque architecture. Dating to the 12th century, it was originally constructed to house the relics of St Nicholas (better known as Father Christmas), which were stolen from Turkey in 1087 by local fishing folk.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Borgo Murattiano
Region / Quarter
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
Borgo Murattiano is one of Bari’s thriving shopping areas, lined with gorgeous architecture built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the most stunning buildings found in this area include the Teatro Petruzzelli, the fourth largest theatre in Italy, and the neo-Gothic Venetian Fizzarotti Palace, a grand yet eclectic building.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Castello Svevo di Bari
Historical Building
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
Roger the Norman originally built this castle in the 12th century over the ruins of a Byzantine structure. Later, Frederick II of Swabia built over the existing castle, incorporating it into his design and leaving intact the two towers of the Norman structure that still stand. The bastions, with corner towers overhanging the moat, were added in the 16th century during Aragonese rule.
ACCESS
10 €
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LOCATION
Lungomare Nazario Sauro
Beach / Seaside
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
Lungomare (Seafront) is a picturesque 15-kilometer-long waterfront promenade along the Adriatic Sea. It offers stunning views of the harbor and marina, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll at any time of day, especially at sunset or early morning.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Piazza del Ferrarese
Square / Fountain
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
Piazza del Ferrarese is the ideal place to start a journey to discover Bari: overlooking the historic Lungomare Imperatore Augusto, it is now the preferred entrance to the picturesque old town.
The square is delimited on the right by the building of the former fish market, built in 1840, and by the access ramp to Via Venezia that gradually ascends towards the Fortino di Sant'Antonio Abate, the highest point of the old town. On the left is the current Sala Murat, a former food warehouse and now one of the city's most popular cultural venues, dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of contemporary arts. On the same side, the apses of the Chiesa Vallisa are visible. Built in the 11th century and now deconsecrated, the church has been transformed into a multifunctional centre for the promotion of culture and art. In the background of the square, with its sundial, stands Palazzo Starita, built in the 18th century on the remains of an ancient Arsenal.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Teatro Margherita
Opera / Theatre
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
The building of the former Margherita Theatre is one of the symbols of Bari. The building with its salmon-coloured facade impresses with its Beaux-Arts architectural style, especially on the richly decorated facade. Completed in 1914 as Bari's main theatre, it stands right on the seafront of the Lungomare Imperatroe Augusto, i.e. in the centre of the city overlooking the sea.
Currently, the building serves as a museum or exhibition space for contemporary art exhibitions.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Teatro Petruzzelli
Opera / Theatre
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
Italy’s fourth largest theater. It dates back to 1903, when it was built by the Petruzzelli family. In the past, the theater stood out for its capacity and for a vast variety of shows, as well as for the great attention paid in welcoming the audience and the beauty of its interior decorations, made entirely of pure gold.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Via Sparano
Street
NICE TO SEE
ABOUT
Welcome to the living room of Bari , the most famous central street frequented by shopping. Via Sparano is the main artery of the heart of the city, a pedestrian street more than half a kilometer long that starts from the vicinity of the historic center, Bari Vecchia , and ends at the railway station of the capital, as well as Piazza Aldo Moro. It is no coincidence that at the beginning of this article we defined Via Sparano as the " living room of Bari" , in fact, after the restyling project completed in 2018, this street now enjoys an even more elegant appearance thanks to the creation of 7 living rooms, each with its own name and associated characteristics.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Cripta Della Cattedrale di San Sabino
Worth To See
YET TO SEE
ABOUT
Here, relics of Saint Sabinus are kept in a large beautiful altar. These were saved from destruction by Saint Angelarius in 844 and thus reached Bari. Two other coffins contain various relics, for example of St. Columbus.
The walls in the crypt are partly decorated with medieval frescoes, which are amazingly well preserved.
ACCESS
3 €
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LOCATION
Lido Cala Paura
Beach / Seaside
YET TO SEE
ABOUT
Lido Cala Paura is a picturesque beach situated in the town of Polignano a Mare in the Puglia region of Italy. It is nestled amidst 65-foot limestone cliffs, providing a unique attraction for visitors. The beach extends for approximately 150 meters and is characterized by its pebbly terrain rather than sand. Despite this, its crystal-clear turquoise waters make it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkeling. The beach is known for its stunning views and warm water, making it particularly popular among visitors.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica
History / Archeology Museum
YET TO SEE
ABOUT
Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica is the Archaeological Museum of Bari. The museum includes the most complete collection of archaeological material from Puglia, especially ceramics and bronze objects. The museum focuses on the Apulian civilization from the 7th century to the 3rd century, of the ancient Daunia (current province of Foggia), the Messapia and above all the Peucezia (current province of Bari).
ACCESS
5 €
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LOCATION
Museo Civico
Concept Museum
YET TO SEE
ABOUT
This is the Civic Museum of Bari, an ancient building in the heart of the historic center of Bari which still today preserves a precious and rich heritage of artistic and documentary assets which testify to the long history of the Apulian capital . It is a real journey into the history and memory of Bari in which it is possible to discover objects and documents ranging from the 16th century to the present day, preserved with the aim of making known the events and scenarios of what life was like social and economic of the city.
ACCESS
5 €
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LOCATION
Pane e Pomodoro
Beach / Seaside
YET TO SEE
ABOUT
Pane e Pomodoro is the famous beach of Bari, a beach open to anyone who wants, perhaps after a walk along the Bari seafront, to lie down and get some sun or simply take a bath.
ACCESS
Free
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LOCATION
Pinacoteca Metropolitana
Modern / Art Museum
YET TO SEE
ABOUT
The Pinacoteca metropolitana di Bari, located in the heart of Bari, has a rich history dating back to 1928. Initially established in the Palazzo della Provincia, the art gallery was founded to preserve and showcase the artistic heritage of the Apulia region. Its collection includes a wide range of works from the medieval to the contemporary period.
ACCESS
5 €
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LOCATION