West of Bari

<< Apulia

Along the Adriatic coast west of Bari are some popular seaside tourist destinations and ancient towns. Other historic attractions can be found more inland, most notably in Bitonto.

Bitonto

Bitonto is a city located just west of Bari. Founded in ancient times, it was later a Roman town and remained a center of regional importance throughout its history. The city was ruled by various noble families and mostly followed the history of the rest of the region. Bitonto is now known for its historic old town and for the production of olives and olive oil.

✪ Bitonto Cathedral

The Bitonto Cathedral (Duomo di Bitonto) is the main church in the city, built in the Late Middle Ages over an older church. It is regarded as one of the best examples of the Apulian Romanesque style, and features an elaborate portal and a rose window on its facade. Inside, the church features various medieval artworks, including a decorated ambon and a well preserved mosaic. Under the cathedral is the crypt of the ancient Paleochristian church, while the square next to the building houses a Baroque column erected in the 18th century, known as Guglia dell’Immacolata.

National Gallery of Apulia

The National Gallery of Apulia (Galleria Nazionale della Puglia) is an art museum located in the 16th-century Palazzo Sylos-Calò in Bitonto. The museum houses hundreds of paintings dating between the Renaissance and today, including a large collection of contemporary art. The gallery hosts works by artists such as Titian, Veronese, Velázquez, El Greco, and Delacroix, among many others.

Church of San Francesco d’Assisi

The Church of San Francesco d’Assisi is a church located at the eastern edge of the old town of Bitonto. Erected in the 13th century, the church features a blend of Romanesque and Gothic style, with some Baroque elements added later. Adjacent to the church is the Diocesan Museum of Bitonto (Museo Diocesano di Bitonto), a museum of religious art which houses one of the largest collections in Southern Italy.

Archaeological Museum of Bitonto

Also known as: De Palo Ungaro Foundation (Fondazione De Palo Ungaro)

The Archaeological Museum of Bitonto (Museo Archeologico di Bitonto) is a museum that houses numerous archaeological findings unearthed around Bitonto. Its collection includes several objects from the pre-Roman era found in various necropolises, mostly made by the Peucetians between the 6th and 3rd century BCE.

Giovinazzo

Giovinazzo is a town located along the coast west of Bari. Placed on a promontory on the sea, the city was founded by the Peucetians and later became a Roman town. Giovinazzo remained a relevant trade center for all its history, and now it is also a tourist destination.

Giovinazzo Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Giovinazzo Cathedral (Duomo di Giovinazzo) is the main church of the city, located near the sea. Built in Romanesque style in the 12th century, it was mostly reworked in the 18th century, with the addition of Baroque elements. Inside, it features some artworks and an ancient crypt.

Molfetta

Molfetta is a city in the Metropolitan City of Bari, located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea just west of Giovinazzo. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the town might have been founded as a small port by the Greeks. The city rose to prominence in the Late Middle Ages, when it was a flourishing trade center, and remained a relevant port for centuries. Molfetta is now known for its medieval old town, which houses several ancient landmarks.

Duomo of San Corrado

The Duomo of San Corrado is a historic church located near the sea in the old town of Molfetta. Built in the 12th century, it is a great example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. The building features an imposing facade and two bell towers, while inside it houses some artworks.

Molfetta Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Molfetta Cathedral (Cattedrale di Molfetta) is a large church located just south of the old town of Molfetta. The church was built in Baroque style between the 17th and 18th century, and features a decorated facade and several artworks. A museum of religious art is located next to the cathedral.

Civic Archaeological Museum of the Pulo

The Pulo of Molfetta is a doline located just outside the city, which was inhabited in prehistoric times. The Civic Archaeological Museum of the Pulo (Museo Civico Archeologico del Pulo) houses a collection of archaeological findings unearthed in the Pulo and around Molfetta.

Basilica of Madonna dei Martiri

The Basilica of Madonna dei Martiri is a church located near the sea at the western edge of Molfetta. The church was erected in the 12th century but its current appearance dates from the 19th century, when it was reworked in Neoclassical style. Part of the complex of the basilica is the Ospedale dei Crociati, which once served as a place where pilgrims could stop and rest before sailing towards the Holy Land.