The basilica is an important pilgrimage destination both for Italians and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe. The basilica was built between 1087 and 1197, during the Norman domination of Apulia, the area previously occupied by the Byzantine catapan of which Bari was the seat of rule. Its foundation is related to the stealing of the relics of St. Nicholas from Myra, in what is now Turkey, by some Barese sailors. According to legend, the saint, passing by the city on his way to Rome, had chosen Bari as his burial place. Pope Urban II came to the city to consecrate the crypt in 1089. Elias, abbot of the nearby monastery of St. Benedict, was named as first archbishop. The edifice was officially consecrated in 1197, in the presence of the Imperial Vicar, Bishop Conrad of Hildesheim, and of numerous bishops, prelates and noblemen. The church has a rather square appearance, seemingly more suited to a castle than to a church. This impression is strengthened by the presence of two low massive towers framing the façade. It was indeed used several times as castle during its history. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by granite columns and pilasters. The presbytery area is separated from the rest of the edifice by mean of three arches supported by columns of Byzantine influence. Above the aisles is the matronei, a tribune gallery for women, opening into the nave. The basilica was the first church of this design, setting a standard which was later imitated in numerous other constructions in the region. The Basilica houses one of the most noteworthy Romanesque sculptural works of southern Italy, a cathedra (bishop's throne) finished in the late 11th century for Elias. There are precious mosaic pavements in the crypt and presbytery. The ciborium, the most ancient in the region, is also decorated with mosaic; it has four columns with foliage, animals and mythological figures. The crypt, with 26 columns sporting capitals in Byzantine and Romanesque style, houses the relics of St. Nicholas. In the church is the Renaissance tomb of Bona Sforza, (16th century), in marble. The museum of the Basilica has precious artworks, including a collection of 12th century candle holders donated by King Charles I of Anjou. The church was restored in the late 13th century, in 1456 and in the 17th century. In the 20th century restoration, most of the Baroque additions were removed, only the gilt wooden ceiling, with canvases by Carlo De Rosa, remaining.

The church of St. Sabinus was begun in Byzantine style in 1034, but was destroyed in the sack of the city of 1156. A new building was thus built between 1170-1178, partially inspiring to that of San Nicola. Of the original edifice, only traces of the pavement are today visible in the transept. An important example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, the church has a simple Romanesque façade with three portals; in the upper part is a rose window decorated with monstruous and fantasy figures. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by sixteen columns with arcades. The crypt houses the relics of St. Sabinus and the icon of the Madonna Odigitria. The interior and the façade were redecorated in Baroque style during the 18th century, but these additions were deleted in the 1950s restoration.

Bari castle which was historically attributed to Ruggero il Normanno, dates back to 1131; it was built on an already existing building dating back to the Byzantine period. Between 1233 and 1240 Frederick II of Swabia put the castle, which had been damaged by Guglielmo il Malo (1156), back into operation by using the pervious layout and the surrounding outside wall structure and the two towers. During the Angioine age, important restoration work was carried out on behalf of Charles I by the promagistrates Pietro d'Agincourt and Giovanni di Toul. In the 16th Century under Isabel of Aragon and her daughter Bona Sforza the rampart wall was built and the central courtyard repaired with the two ramp steps. In the 19th Century the castle was used as a prison and later as an army barracks. It currently houses the Superintendency for Historical, Environmental, Artistic and Architectural Heritage of Apulia. Some rooms are given over to a Gallery of plaster casts and others house temporary exhibitions.

Lungomare N. Sauro;
tel. 080/5412422.
Info: 080/5412423

Piazza Umberto I; tel. 080/5211559