Bari, Italy
Region: Apulia (Puglia in Italian
Geographic Coordinates: 41.125300, 16.866700
Temperature Range: 10.0°C to 30.0°C (50°F to 86°F)
Climate: Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.
Population: 323370
Language: Italian
Bari is a beautiful city located in the southern region of Italy, Known as Puglia. It is the capital of the province of Bari and one of the largest cities in Southern Italy. The city has a rich history dating back to ancient times, With evidence of human settlement dating back to 1500 BC. One famous landmark in Bari is its old town, Surrounded by ancient walls and featuring narrow streets, Charming squares, And historic buildings. The old town also houses one of Italy’s most important pilgrimage sites – the Basilica di San Nicola.
This church was built in honor of Saint Nicholas after his death. Another popular attraction in Bari is its beautiful seafront promenade called Lungomare Nazario Sauro. This stretch boasts stunning views over the Adriatic Sea and offers visitors plenty to see and do along its length. Bari’s cuisine is another highlight for visitors to this vibrant Italian city. Puglia’s cuisine features many delicious seafood dishes such as orecchiette con le cime di rapa (pasta with turnip greens) or polpo alla pignata (octopus cooked in a terracotta pot).
In addition to seafood dishes, There are also plenty of vegetarian options available such as fave e cicoria (fava beans with chicory leaves). Bari also has an active nightlife scene that offers something for everyone from trendy cocktail bars to traditional pubs where you can enjoy local wines or beers while listening to live music or watching sports on TV. Bari hosts several festivals throughout the year that celebrate various aspects of local culture such as La Fiera del Levante which showcases regional products like olive oil or wine while offering entertainment like concerts or folklore performances.
Bari is a fascinating destination full of history, Culture, Great food & drink options along with exciting nightlife. Visitors will find plenty things to see and do when exploring this ancient city. It is a city well worth visiting when traveling in Italy.
Important Landmarks
- Basilica di San Nicola – a 12th-century church and pilgrimage site for Catholics.
- Castello Svevo – a medieval castle built by the Normans in the 12th century.
- Teatro Petruzzelli – a historic theater known for its ornate architecture and performances of opera and ballet.
- Lungomare Nazario Sauro – a scenic waterfront promenade with views of the Adriatic Sea.
- Cattedrale di San Sabino – a Romanesque-style cathedral dating back to the 12th century.
- Pinacoteca Provinciale di Bari – an art museum featuring works by local artists as well as international masters.
- Piazza del Ferrarese – a bustling square with cafes, restaurants, and street performers.
- Mercato del Pesce – an open-air fish market where visitors can sample fresh seafood dishes.
- Swabian Castle- Built in the late 13th century, it is one of Bari’s most iconic landmarks.
- Promenade Umberto I- A pedestrian street lined with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants that runs through Bari’s old town center.
Primary Industries
- Agriculture: Bari is renowned for its olive oil production, as well as other crops such as wheat, grapes, almonds, and citrus fruits.
- Fishing: Given its location on the Adriatic Sea, Bari serves as an important center for fishing.
- Manufacturing: The city has a robust manufacturing sector encompassing food processing, textiles, machinery, chemicals and plastics.
- Tourism: Bari attracts numerous visitors each year due to its rich history and cultural landmarks like the Basilica di San Nicola and Castello Svevo.
- Services: Banking services along with finance and insurance are significant contributors to Bari’s economy.
- Education: Several universities call Bari home including University of Bari Aldo Moro which contributes towards education industry in the city.
- Healthcare: With several hospitals located within the city limits along with numerous private clinics as well as pharmaceuticals companies operating within it contributes towards healthcare industry in Bari.
Noteable History
- Saint Nicholas: Bari is famous for being the final resting place of Saint Nicholas, also known as Santa Claus. In 1087, his remains were brought to Bari from Myra (modern-day Turkey) and a basilica was built in his honor.
- Norman Conquest: In 1071, the Normans conquered Bari and made it their capital in southern Italy. The city flourished under Norman rule and became an important center of trade.
- World War II: During World War II, Bari was heavily bombed by the Allies on December 2, 1943. The attack destroyed much of the city’s port area and caused a significant loss of life.
- Federico II: Frederick II was born in Jesi near Ancona but he spent a lot of time in Puglia where he founded Castel del Monte near Andria and rebuilt many towns after their destruction during wars.
- Nicolaus Copernicus: Nicolaus Copernicus lived in Bari from 1504 to 1506 while studying medicine at the University of Bologna.
- Giuseppe Garibaldi: Giuseppe Garibaldi visited Bari during his campaign to unify Italy in the mid-19th century.
- Adriano Olivetti: Adriano Olivetti was an Italian engineer and businessman who founded Olivetti, one of Italy’s most important electronics companies, which had its headquarters in Ivrea but also had factories around Italy including one located near Modugno just outside Bari.
- Roberto Rossellini: Roberto Rossellini filmed part of his movie Stromboli starring Ingrid Bergman on location at Barivecchia (Old Town) area between Via Arco Alto e Via San Pietro dei Samurielli where he used local people as extras for some scenes depicting fishermen’s daily life routines.
Museums and Things To See
- Basilica di San Nicola: A beautiful church that houses the relics of Saint Nicholas.
- Castello Svevo: A medieval castle built by Frederick II in the 13th century.
- Pinacoteca Provinciale di Bari: An art museum featuring works from local artists as well as international masters.
- Teatro Petruzzelli: One of Italy’s largest and most prestigious theaters, known for its stunning architecture and rich history.
- Lungomare Nazario Sauro: A scenic waterfront promenade that offers stunning views of the Adriatic Sea.
- Cattedrale di San Sabino: A Romanesque-style cathedral dating back to the 12th century, with beautiful frescoes and mosaics inside.
- Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Bari: An archaeological museum showcasing artifacts from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages, including ancient Greek and Roman objects.
- Piazza del Ferrarese: A lively square in the heart of Bari’s old town, lined with cafes and restaurants serving traditional Apulian cuisine.
- Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri: A Baroque-style church built in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, featuring ornate decorations and frescoes by famous Italian artists such as Francesco Solimena.
- Mercato del Pesce e delle Erbe (Fish Market): The city’s bustling fish market where locals buy fresh seafood every day, located near Piazza Mercantile in Bari Vecchia (Old Town).
Sports Teams
- Bari is a city in southern Italy with a rich history and culture.
- The city has produced several notable sports teams:
- Football Club Bari 1908
- Volleyball Club Bari
- Ice Hockey Club HC Val Pusteria Wolves
- Water Polo Club Nuoto Sport Management
- Football Club Bari 1908 is one of the oldest football clubs in Italy.
- The team has played mostly in Serie A but has also spent time playing in lower divisions.
- FC Bari 1908 has won two Serie B championships.
- Volleyball Club Bari was founded in 1966 and has won several national championships over the years, including four Coppa Italia titles.
- Ice Hockey Club HC Val Pusteria Wolves represents Pustertal Valley which includes parts of northern Italy as well as Austria’s Tyrol region.
- They have played their home games at Palaflorio Arena since moving there from Brunico around a decade ago or so now.
- Water Polo Club Nuoto Sport Management was founded back around early-90s as part of larger swimming club Nuoto Sport Management (NSM).
- They were one among many other water polo clubs active throughout Apulia region during those times before consolidating into what eventually became known simply as NSM Waterpolo Team after winning various regional tournaments etc., along with taking part regularly at national level competitions too such as Coppa Italia di Serie A1 etc..
- Fiera del Levante: This is an annual trade fair that takes place in Bari every September. It is one of the largest fairs in Italy and attracts visitors from all over the world.
- Bari International Film Festival: This film festival takes place every year in November, showcasing a range of international films.
- San Nicola Festival: This festival celebrates the patron saint of Bari, Saint Nicholas, and takes place on December 6th each year. There are processions, parades, and fireworks displays.
- La Notte della Taranta: This is a music festival that takes place in August each year, celebrating traditional Puglian folk music and dance.
- Festa di Santa Maria degli Angeli: This religious festival celebrates the Virgin Mary and takes place on August 2nd each year.
- Bari Jazz Festival: Held annually in May or June, this jazz festival showcases local and international artists performing across various venues throughout the city.
- Taste of Puglia Food Festival: Held annually in October or November, this food festival celebrates Puglian cuisine with tastings, workshops, and cooking demonstrations.
- White Night (Notte Bianca): An all-night event held during summer months where shops stay open late into the night with live music performances taking over streets around town until dawn breaks!
- Orecchiette con le cime di rapa (pasta with turnip greens).
- Focaccia barese (Bari-style flatbread).
- Polpo alla pignata (octopus cooked in a clay pot).
- Cozze ripiene (stuffed mussels).
- Burrata cheese.
- Antichi Sapori di Puglia.
- Terranima.
- Osteria al Duomo.
- Trattoria da Enzo.
- La Cecchina del Borgo Antico.
- Parco 2 Giugno: a large park with walking trails, playgrounds, and sports facilities.
- Lungomare di Bari: a scenic promenade along the coastline with views of the sea and historic landmarks.
- Villa Comunale: a historic park with gardens, fountains, and statues.
- Piazza del Ferrarese: a popular square in the old town that hosts street performers and cultural events.
- Basilica di San Nicola: an iconic church that attracts tourists from all over the world.
- Castello Normanno-Svevo: a medieval castle that now serves as a museum showcasing local history and art.
- Teatro Petruzzelli: an iconic theater that hosts opera, ballet, and other cultural events throughout the year.
- Pinacoteca Provinciale di Bari: an art museum featuring works by Italian masters such as Caravaggio and Tintoretto.
- Grotte di Castellana – limestone caves located just outside of Bari offering guided tours through stunning underground formations
- Sanctuary of Saint Michael Archangel – A beautiful religious site located in Monte Sant’Angelo on top of Mount Gargano offering breathtaking views of surrounding areas
Cultural Events
Cuisine
Some popular restaurants in Bari, Italy are: