Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
wooden ceiling. The magnificent 13th-century ciborium over the altar is Puglia's oldest.
The shrine in the crypt, lit by hanging lamps, is beautiful.
Cathedral
(Piazza dell'Odegitria; 8am-12.30pm & 4-7.30pm Mon-Fri, 8am-12.30pm & 5-8.30pm Sat & Sun)
Built over
the original Byzantine church, the 11th-century Romanesque cathedral retains its basilica
plan - the plain walls punctuated with deep arcades - and the eastern window is a tangle
of plant and animal motifs. Recent
excavations
(
€1; 12.30-4pm Sun-Wed, Apr-Oct)
have re-
vealed an ancient Christian basilica with a substantial floor mosaic featuring octopus, fish
and plant motifs.
CATHEDRAL
Piazza Mercantile
This beautiful piazza is fronted by the Sedile, the headquarters of Bari's Council of
PIAZZA
GOOGLE MAP
(Column
of Justice; Piazza Mercantile)
, where debtors were once tied and whipped.
Festivals
Festa di San Nicola
( 7-9 May)
The Festival of St Nicholas is Bari's biggest annual shindig, celebrating the
11th-century arrival of St Nicholas' relics from Turkey. On the first evening a procession
leaves Castello Svevo for the Basilica di San Nicola. The next day there's a deafening fly-
past and a fleet of boats carries the statue of St Nicholas along the coast. The evening -
and the next - ends with a massive fireworks display. It's a jolly, crowded family affair,
attended by many Russian visitors who come to view the relics.
RELIGIOUS
Sleeping
Most hotel accommodation here tends to be bland and overpriced, aimed at business cli-
entele: B&Bs are generally a better option.
Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio
B&B
$
