Bari is the capital of the region of Apulia, in the south of Italy. Founded by the Peucetians, it flourished in Roman times. After a brief period in which it became an Arab emirate, it was recovered by the Eastern Roman Empire to become an important religious center around the eleventh century.
Today, Bari is a modern city that has managed to preserve its traditions and, above all, its rich monumental heritage. A pleasant Mediterranean climate and delicious gastronomy complete what Bari can offer you. If you want to get to know this city of Apulia better, we invite you to follow us.
What to see in Bari
The historic center of Bari is the San Nicola neighborhood, although its original nucleus is within the walls of its spectacular Norman castle. San Nicola stretches between the two ports of the city and dominates the seafront, one of the most beautiful in southern Italy. But, without further ado, we are going to show you what to see in the capital of Apulia.
Norman castle of Bari
Built around 1132 by the Norman king Roger II, was demolished by the inhabitants of the city to be rebuilt a hundred years later by order of Frederick II, emperor of the Holy Roman German Empire.
Later, other parts were added to the castle complex. Today you can access it by a bridge and a Gothic portal that leads to a Renaissance courtyard. The towers and bastions complete the image of a very well preserved fortification that will fascinate you.
Norman castle of Bari
Less well known about this castle is that on Sundays a tour of the Bari underground that shows you the most mysterious places in the Apulian city.
Cathedral of San Sabino
Built between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries on the ruins of the Byzantine imperial cathedral, it is one of the most beautiful temples in southern Italy. In fact, it is considered one of the most successful samples of the Apulian Romanesque architecture. As early as the seventeenth century, elements were introduced baroque inside that make it even more attractive.
Basilica of Saint Nicholas
It was built in 1087 to house the relics of the saint that gives it its name. He was originally buried in Myra, but legend has it that, during his travels, San Nicolás He passed through Bari and said he wanted to be buried in the Apuglian city.
However it may be, we advise you to visit this basilica, a marvel of the Romanesque even more beautiful inside. It stands out in this the ceiling, made of gilded wood and with paintings from the XNUMXth century; the silver altar with a marble canopy and the sculpture of the Elia Chair.
Palace of the Province
Built in the early thirties of the last century to house the administration of Bari, it is in the eclectic and highlights in it the clock tower, which rises more than sixty meters from the ground.
Basilica of Saint Nicholas
The palace is in the Lungomare from Bari, that is, on the seafront. This was inaugurated in 1927 and, as we told you, it is one of the most beautiful in Italy. It goes from the old port to the new one and includes beautiful buildings like the one we just mentioned, the Hostel of the Nazioni or Kursaal Santa Lucía theater.
The Petruzelli theater
Precisely, if we talk about theaters, the most beautiful in Bari is possibly the Petruzelli, inaugurated in 1903. It presents a style neoclassicist and suffered a fire in 1991, although it was quickly rebuilt.
The large number of theaters in the capital of Apulia will not fail to draw your attention. In addition to the two above, it has the Piccinni., inaugurated in 1854, the Margherita, Abelian, Small or the House of Pulcinella.
Mincuzzi Palace, another jewel of Bari
It was built at the end of the twenties of the last century and it is a real beauty. It was intended to house a department store that, for decades, would be an icon of the city. The building stands out for its facade, with a rich decoration, and for the summit that crowns it.
Around the city
Bari also has a wonderful environment. But, near the capital, we advise you to visit three small towns, each one more beautiful. The most popular is Alberobello, characteristic for its round stone houses with conical roofs. For its part, locorotondo It is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy for its beautiful old town. And finally, Monopoli, although it also has an interesting old center, stands out because it offers you the best beaches area.
Typical houses of Alberobello
What to eat in Bari
You cannot leave Bari without trying the delicious cuisine of Apulia. It is based on the magnificent vegetables and legumes of the area, but also on Adriatic fish or cheeses such as Canestrato and Caciocavallo. And, of course, pasta is of fundamental importance.
The typical dish par excellence of Bari are the orecchiette I gave meat to the ragout. It is precisely a type of pasta whose shape is reminiscent of an ear and is prepared with roast meat and sauce. They are also a paste cavatelli, which are combined with seafood. For his part, rice to the barese has mussels, potatoes, tomatoes and parsley, while the Ceci E Tria. They carry chickpeas and pasta, both fresh and fried.
La fried polenta is based on corn flour and cake to the bar It has a filling of egg, tomato, green olives and pecorino cheese. To drink, you have magnificent wines in Apulia they have several designations of origin. Among these, Alezio, Toast o Leven.
Regarding sweets, try the sporcamuss, a puff pastry with icing sugar filled with cream. And also him Typical Italian cake with custard cream filling, a pasta ball also filled with cream that is delicious.
When is it better to travel to the capital of Apulia
As we said, Bari presents a Mediterranean climate. Winters are mild and somewhat rainy, while summers are usually dry and hot. Temperatures rarely drop below nine degrees in the first season and exceed thirty in the second.
Petruzzelli Theater in Bari
Therefore, the best times to travel to Bari are spring and summer. It is the time of greatest influx of tourists, but the climate is perfect and even the sea water has a pleasant temperature.
How to get to Bari
The best means of transport for you to travel to the capital of Apulia is the plane. He Bari-Palese airport It is only eight kilometers from the city and there is good communication even by train. But its port is also a stopover place for many Cruise and there are lines of ferrocarril that unite her with Roma and other cities in northern Italy.
Once in Bari, you have a good public transport network made by Bus and also for urban railway. Regarding the latter, there is a line that connects the Bari Central station with the San Paolo neighborhood and has several stops.
In conclusion, Bari is one of the most beautiful cities in southern Italy. Full of history and monuments, it also has an enviable climate and magnificent gastronomy. We advise you to visit it, you will not regret it.