Explorations of a port city on the Adriatic Sea and the final resting place of Ole St. Nick.
Bari is a mix of new and old. The twisty streets of the old city hugs the coast, surrounded by 19th and 20th century suburbs. Known as Barium in antiquity, Bari was an old city even by the time the Romans showed up. The old city is mostly concentrated on a small peninsula. It’s full of street markets, churches and very good pastries.
Wandering Jana To get to the old city from the train station, you have to pass through the Murat Quarter, named after Joachim Murat, brother-in-law and henchman of Napoleon. He was in charge of Southern Italy when this area started to be built up. Today, it is known for its very square layout.
Wandering Jana Moving into the old city. My first stop was San Domenico.
Wandering Jana Chaos of the old city.
Wandering Jana Scooters, scooters everywhere!
Wandering Jana Throughout the morning, I saw several women selling homemade pasta.
Wandering Jana Portal to the old city.
Wandering Jana No idea.
Wandering Jana A very southern Italian city.
Wandering Jana San Giacomo, with its weird window.
Wandering Jana Now for the Cathedral, San Sabino, a large Romanesque church from the 12th and 13th centuries.
Wandering Jana It was Baroqued like most churches during the 16th and 17th centuries. However, 20th century renovations restored the Romanesque church.
Wandering Jana Under the main altar is a crypt featuring relics of a couple of saints.
Wandering Jana Ruins of a earlier church under the current church.
Wandering Jana A 6th century Christian mosaic from a Byzantine church that once was at the site.
Wandering Jana Street markets.
Wandering Jana Outside seating for a nice restaurant.
Wandering Jana A lot of arches in the old city.
Wandering Jana Heading to Bari’s most visited attraction.
Wandering Jana Basilica Pontificia San Nicola, the final resting place of St. Nicholas. The church is still a major pilgrimage site for Eastern European Catholics and Orthodox Christians. The relics of St. Nicholas were smuggled out of modern Turkey in the 11th century. This church was built to house them.
Wandering Jana There’s three weird buttresses in the middle of the nave. Weird because they are on angles.
Wandering Jana The Tomb of St. Nicholas.
Wandering Jana A super cool Romanesque capital.
Wandering Jana The main altar.
Wandering Jana A bit closer to the Adriatic.
Wandering Jana Castello Normanno-Svevo, from the 12th century, overlooked the harbor. I got some good gelato across the street from here.
Wandering Jana The castle is now used for exhibits.
Wandering Jana It’s a pretty cool castle.
Wandering Jana The courtyard has a really impressive double staircase.
Wandering Jana Sky garden.
Wandering Jana Heading towards the sea.
Wandering Jana Local fishing boats.
Wandering Jana I headed down the promenade for a bit.
I initially chose to stay in Bari because of its great location. It is very easy to take day trips to smaller cities in the area. However, other than the cranky church guy, I had a pretty good visit. There was plenty to do and see in Bari.
Check out my next update where I explore the trulli of Alberobello!
or
Start at the beginning of this adventure.
Share this:
Discover more from Wandering Jana
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
