DISCOVER BARI
Bari is the capital city of the Metropolitan City of Bari and of the Apulia region, on the Adriatic Sea, in southern Italy. The city itself has a population of almost 350.000 inhabitants, over 116 square kilometres, while the urban area has 1.200.000 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 splendid Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of San Sabino (1035–1171) and the Swabian 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.
Cuisine and Gastronomy
Bari’s cuisine is based on three typical agricultural products found within the surrounding region of Apulia, namely wheat, olive oil and wine. The local cuisine is also enriched by the wide variety of fruit and vegetables produced locally. Local flour is used in homemade bread and pasta production including, most notably, the famous orecchiette ear-shaped pasta and cavatelli.
Homemade dough is also used for baked calzoni stuffed with onions, anchovies, capers and olives; fried panzerotti with mozzarella, simple focaccia alla barese with tomatoes, little savoury taralli, friselle and sgagliozze, fried slices of polenta, all make up the Bari culinary repertoire.
Fresh fish and seafood are often eaten raw. Octopus, sea urchins and mussels feature heavily. Perhaps Bari’s most famous dish is the oven-baked patate, riso e cozze (potatoes with rice and mussels).
Bari and the whole Apulian region have a range of wines, including Primitivo, Castel del Monte, and Muscat, notably Moscato di Trani.
Places of interest in Bari
Alberobello is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and it is also unique and extraordinary, which makes it one of the best cities to visit in Southern Italy. Alberobello will give you the feeling of going back in time, but in a different way compared to Matera. Alberobello will make you think of the magical world of hobbits and dwarfs.
Events and cultural activities
There are also many cathedrals and churches in Puglia which underline the artistic and historical development of the region. Their visit is vital to understand the artistic development of Puglia.
All people, and thus all cultures, who lived and prospered in Puglia from the Lombards and Bizantines to the Normans and Swabians have left wonderful cathedrals, sanctuaries and churches.
Below a list of the best cathedrals to see in Puglia listed by province (area) from north to south.
