Trani

According to legend Trani was founded by the son of Diomedes. The town became important under the Normans who gave the town a number of privileges. Trani flourished under Frederick II, who built the castle. The glorious past of this town is confirmed by the churches and residences of its old town, including the XVIII century Palazzo Caccetta, Plazzo Quercia and Palazzo Bianchi.

The old town of Trani extends along the port into a small peninsula where the Cathedral of S. Nicola Pellegrino stands in a stupendous position directly beside the sea. It is one of the finest examples of Apulian-Romanesque architecture and one of the most magnificent churches in the whole Italy. The façade in pink-white stone is soberly decorated with a monofora and an eye, positioned above three windows, arranged in line. The lower part of the façade is ornamented by a series of blind arches with a super bronse door by Barisano da Trani. The bell-tower was the work of Nicolaus Sacerdos et Protomagister and it was built in the XIII century.

As many other towns Trani also has a castle constructed by Frederick II between 1233 and 1249. Later alterations were carried out in the times of Charles I and Charles II of Anjou by Pierre d'Angicourt.

The church of Ognissanti is another of the many splendid churches of Trani, its façade is made up by a double portico resting on columns. The church of S. Teresa, is a fine example of Baroque architecture and hoses painting from the school of Corrado Giaquinto. The medieval church of S. Giacomo, with its beautiful portal. The church of S. Andrea in Byzantine style.

Outside the town lies the abbey of S. Maria di Colonna founded by the Benedictines in 1098 and given to the Franciscans in 1427 to whom it belonged until 1867.