Barletta

The origins of Barletta are uncertain, although tombs from the III ans II century have been found within its territory. It was an important trading centre during the Normans and it flourished during the Angevin period thank to the trades with the East. It was that on the 13th of February 1503, during the Franco-Spanish war, the famous Disfida, challenge, between Italian and French knights and their commander Ettore Fieramosca.

South of Barletta lie the remains of the ancient town of Canne, which gave its name to the famous battle between Carthaginians and Romans in 216 B.C. This city was renowned from ancient to Roman and medieval times. Canne was eventually destroyed by the Normans and its inhabitants fled to Barletta and Canosa. It is one of the largest archaeological sites in the region.

There are a number of interesting places in Barletta:

The Cathedral dedicated to S. Maria Maggiore. Its construction begun in 1140 and consecrated in1276. It is in Romanesque style and it is one of the region four Palatine Basilicas.

The castle is of Norman origin but it was rebuilt by the Swabians in 1234. In the early XVI century it was fortified by ramparts. Here is possible to visit the Cantina della disfida, a wine cellar, where, according to legend, the French captain La Motte challenged the Italian Fieramosca.

The Church of San Sepolcro has original Romanesque lines with Burgundian-Gothic alterations added at the end of the XII century. On the side of this church stands a statue, the Colossus, probably representing the Emperor Valentinian I. This statues was brought to Barletta from Constantinople.