Apulia

What to visit in Apulia

Bari

The areas of greatest interest to tourists in Bari are two. To the north, the old town, now a center of nightlife in the city with the splendid Basilica of San Nicola, the Cathedral of San Sabino (1035-1171) and the Swabian castle built for Frederick II.

To the south lies the Murat district (built by Joachim Murat), the modern heart of the city and the main shopping district (Via Sparano and via Argiro).

Among the palaces and monuments not to be missed in Bari include:

• The Basilica of St. Nicholas, founded in 1087 to house the relics of the saint, which today are under the altar of the crypt. The church is one of four Palatine churches of Apulia (the others being the cathedrals of Acquaviva delle Fonti and Altamura, and the church of Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano).
• The cathedral, dedicated to St Sabinus of Canosa (San Sabino), begun in Byzantine style in 1034, and rebuilt along the lines of that of St. Nicholas after the destruction during the sack of the city of 1156. Only traces of the original building are still visible in the transept floor. An important example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, the church has a simple Romanesque façade with three portals and a rose window decorated with monstrous and fantastic figures. The interior has three naves, divided by sixteen columns with arcades. The crypt houses the relics of St. Sabinus and the icon of the Madonna Odigitria.
• Norman-Swabian Castle, widely known as the Svevo Castle, built by Roger II of Sicily, in 1131. Destroyed in 1156, was rebuilt by Frederick II of Swabia. The castle is now used as temporary headquarters for numerous exhibitions in the city.
• Teatro Petruzzelli, one of the largest opera houses in Italy after La Scala in Milan and the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. Home of many famous works of ballet throughout the twentieth century, was destroyed during the great fire of 27 October 1991. On 4 October 2009, after 18 years, the theater was finally reopened.
• Although situated 40 minutes from Bari who is in the city can not help but go to Andria and admire the famous Castel del Monte, a world heritage site's UNESCO, built in 1240 by Frederick II.

Taranto

Taranto has a number of sites of historical value. The most famous, perhaps, is the Aragonese Castle, built in the fifteenth century, with the intention of protecting the city from frequent Turkish raids.

The old town, home to Fountain Square, the Church of San Domenico, the Sanctuary of Madonna della Salute, and a number of ancient buildings, has remained largely unchanged since the Byzantine times: the picturesque streets, the arches and the old craft workshops contribute to its unique atmosphere.

In Taranto, in addition, you can admire numerous ruins of Greek temples, such as those of the Doric temple still visible in Piazza Castello.

Among the many palaces of the eighteenth century, which adorn the center of town, are particularly important Palazzo Carducci-Artenisio (1650), Palace Galeota (1728) and the Palace Latagliata.

Brindisi

Toast is often excluded from the list of the most beautiful Italian tourist destinations, but hiddens churches and buildings of rare beauty.

Definitely worth visiting are:

• Svevo Castle or Castle Grande, built by Emperor Frederick II during the thirteenth century. Has a trapezoidal shape, with massive square towers. The Aragonese added four towers to the original structure. After centuries of neglect, Joachim Murat in 1813 turned it into a prison, and in 1909 was used by the Italian Navy. During the Second World War, was, briefly, the residence of King Vittorio Emanuele III.
• The Castello Aragonese, better known as Forte a Mare. It was built by King Ferdinand I of Naples in 1491 on St. Andrea island in front of the port. It is divided into two sections: the "Red Castle" (from the color of its bricks) as well and the more recent fort headquarters of the garrison.
• Two ancient Roman columns, which are symbols of Brindisi. Once believed to be placed as a sign of the end of the Via Appia, but in reality have always been the reference point for sailors of the ancient port. Only one of them is visible today. The other, collapsed in 1582, leaving just the base, while what was left of the column was donated to the town of Lecce for holding up the statue of Sant'Oronzo
• The Cathedral, built in Romanesque style between the eleventh and twelfth centuries. What is visible today is a reconstruction of the eighteenth century, after the original was destroyed by an earthquake February 20, 1743.
• The Church of Santa Maria del Casale, in Gothic-Romanesque. Worthy of note is the facade built with stone gray and yellow to form a geometric pattern, and a porch roof canopy.
• The Portico of the Templars. Despite its name, was actually the loggia of the episcopal palace. Today is the entrance of the Museum Ribezzo.