Bari is the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples. In less than a century the area of Bari has increased more than tenfold. Its population has grown from 34.000 in 1861 to 400.000 today.

A long, straight road, the wide and well-lit Corso Vittorio Emanuele, divides the city into two distinct parts, drawing the boundary between two different periods in history. The picturesque old town lies to the North on the peninsula between two modern harbors, with the splendid Basilica of Saint Nicholas, the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Swabian Castle, which is now also a major nightlife district. To the South there is the spacious new town, developed considerably since 1930 (when the Levant fair was first held there), the modern heart of the city, which is laid out on a rectangular grid-plan with a promenade by the sea and the major shopping district (the via Sparano and via Argiro).

Bari, whilst today an industrialized port and university city, still maintains strong traditions based on its patron Saint Nicholas (Santa Clause). Bari is known throughout Italy for its unique, often crude, spoken dialect, particularly in the Old Town, parts of which originated from a pidgin between Italian and Greek fishermen in the past, and which fishermen in Greece can still understand today.

WHAT TO SEE

Basilica of Saint Nicholas was founded in 1087 to receive the relics of this saint, which were brought from Myra, Lycia, and now lie beneath the altar in the crypt. The basilica is an important pilgrimage destination both for Italians and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe.

Bari Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Sabinus of Canosa (San Sabino), was begun in Byzantine style in 1034, but was destroyed by William the Wicked (William I of Sicily) along with the rest of the city (only the Basilica of St. Nicholas was spared) in 1156. A new building was then built between 1170-1178, partially inspired by that of San Nicola. Of the original edifice, only traces of the pavement are visible today 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 monstrous and fantasy figures. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by sixteen columns with arcades. The crypt houses the relics of Saint Sabinus and the icon of the Madonna Odegitria.

Petruzzelli Theatre is one of the grandest opera houses in Italy after La Scala in Milan and the San Carlo Theatre in Naples. Host to many famous opera and ballet greats throughout the 20th century, before the big arson of 27 October, 1991, which destroyed it nearly all. On 4th of October 2009 after 18 years, the theatre was reopened.

Swabian Castle The Norman-Hohenstaufen Castle, widely known as the Castello Svevo (Swabian Castle). The castle now serves as a gallery for a variety of temporary exhibitions in the city.

The Russian Church, in the Carrassi district of Bari, was built in the early 20th century to welcome Russian pilgrims who came to the city to visit the church of Saint Nicholas in the old city where the relics of the saint remain.

Barivecchia, or Old Bari, is a sprawl of streets and passageways making up the section of the city to the north of the modern Murat area. Barivecchia was until fairly recently considered a no-go area by many of Bari's residents due to petty crime. A large-scale redevelopment plan beginning with a new sewerage system and followed by the development of the two main squares, Piazza Mercantile and Piazza Ferrarese has seen the opening of many pubs and other venues.

National Park of Alta Murgia. In the protected area, the National Park of Alta Murgia, you can find an astonishing variety of landscapes: caves, defensive strongholds, sanctuaries, churches and rock settlements, small towns and big cities.

WHAT TO DO

This fabulous Italian city offers plenty to do every season, from sightseeing, shopping and enjoying the nightlife of Bari, to spending the day at the lovely beach, or going horseback riding through the countryside. Cinemas, theatres, museums and churches offer something for everyone in a combination of modern entertainment and history.

Fiera del Levante is said to be the largest trade fair in the Adriatic and involves exhibitions from many sectors and industries. The Fiera attracts many exhibitors from Italy and around the Mediterranean, to the east and beyond. Mainly focused on agriculture and industry, there are also stalls, exhibitions and presentations by a wide variety of companies and organizations in many fields. There is also a "Fair of Nations" which displays handcrafted and locally produced goods from all over the world. It is organized in September for about a week, but during the year other various exhibitions are also organized in the same area.

BARI CUISINE AND RESTAURANTS

Bari's cuisine, one of Italy's most traditional and noteworthy, is based on three typical agricultural products found within the surrounding Puglia region, wheat, olive oil and wine. Bari 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 orrechiette, hat-shaped pasta.

Homemade dough is also used for baked calzoni stuffed with onions, anchovies, capers and olives, and other delicious savory food.