The city

Bari is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, southern Italy. It is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples. It is a port and university city, as well as the city of Saint Nicholas. The city itself has a population of 315,284 inhabitants, over 116 square kilometres (45 sq mi), while the urban area has 750,000 inhabitants. The metropolitan area has 1.3 million inhabitants.

Bari is made up of four different urban sections. To the north is the closely built old town on the peninsula between two modern harbours, with the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of San Sabino (1035–1171) and the Hohenstaufen Castle built for Frederick II, which is now also a major nightlife district. To the south is the Murat quarter (erected by Joachim Murat), the modern heart of the city, which is laid out on a rectangular grid-plan with a promenade on the sea and the major shopping district (the via Sparano and via Argiro).

Modern residential zones surrounding the centre of Bari were built during the 1960s and 1970s replacing the old suburbs that had developed along roads splaying outwards from gates in the city walls. In addition, the outer suburbs developed rapidly during the 1990s. The city has a redeveloped airport, Karol Wojtyła Airport, with connections to several European cities.

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Touristic informations

The ancient and popular heart of the city, Bari Vecchia, is the ideal starting point to the discovery of the city’s most authentic characteristics: among the alleys of this district history and the daily life of the inhabitants are interconnected. Here you will find the three main monuments of the city: the San Nicola Basilica, the San Sabino Cathedral, the Norman-Swabian Castle, as well as many other palaces and churches of extraordinary architectural value. But this is also the place where traditions and flavours express their most genuine spirit. It will not be difficult, for example, to see women busy preparing the famous local pasta, orecchiette. In the evening, Bari Vecchia becomes the lively centre of the city nightlife.

Bari has a long tradition of trade and for this reason it was known as the “gateway to the East”. Symbol of this is the San Nicola Basilica: a place of worship recognized by both Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It is one of the few churches in Italy where one can attend religious services of both faiths. The basilica, in Apulian Romanesque style, was built before the end of 1200 to house the relics of San Nicola which, according to tradition, were stolen by devout sailors in the city of Myra (currently in Turkey) and then brought to Bari in 1087. Also of extraordinary architectural value is the San Sabino Cathedral, in Apulian Romanesque style, characterized by a majestic rose window. The majestic Norman Swabian Castle overlooks the historical downtown of Bari. Commissioned by Frederick II in the thirteenth century and subjected over the centuries to expansion and renovations, it is now home to interesting shows and exhibitions.

If Paris was on the sea, it would look like a small Bari

The people of Bari love to repeat this phrase: “If
Paris was on the sea, it would look like a small
Bari”. Obviously, this is an exaggeration, but it
tells us a lot about the pride (and sense of
humour) in this area. This is a city with a deep
sense of history and art, with rich cultural roots
and a modern business outlook.

Surroundings

Discover Puglia between sea, nature, culture, taste and fun