Bari

The old town of Bari grew up in a small limestone promontory, stretching out into the Adriatic sea. The promontory was chosen by prehistoric peoples has the location for a village that gatered prestige during the era of the Peucetii. After being conquered by the Romans the town became an important junction providing access for nearby Caelie.

The narrow streets contain some wonderful surprises, constituted by graceful churches and splendid squares of medieval and Baroque origin. The church of S. Gregorio, in piazza S. Nicola is a Byzantine temple rebuilt between the XI and XII century. The façade of the church of S. Marco, in the Strada del Carmine area, contains an exquisite rose window with a lion on its centre, the symbol of Venice.

The town was invaded by the Ostrogoths after the decline of Rome, and conquered by the Byzantium in the VI century A.D. At the beginning of the XI century, after the rebellion against Byzantine, the Normans arrived. Under the Norman Robert Guiscard was the building of the Basilica of St. Nichols one of the most splendid example of Romanesque architecture.

The Basilica has an imposing façade made up of spotless white limestone blocks set off by two bell-towers. It is built on a tripartite structure divided by two pilaster-strips: these are supported by columns and reflect the internal design of the naves. The three-naved interior contains some unique examples of medieval architecture, including the splendid tabernacle of the 1150.

The arrival of the Swabians put an end ot the autonomy of the city. Frederick II made the city a regional capital and built the castle over Norman remains.

The castle was built between 1233 and 1240 on a trapezoidal plan with four corner towers. The internal court was laid out on the Renaissance model by Bona Sforza. The castle houses a museum, containing plasters of the finest pieces of Roman sculpture in the region, and the large chamber on the upper floor are used for exhibitions and other cultural events.