Western Terra di Bari

<< Apulia

The Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani is located between the Province of Foggia and the Metropolitan City of Bari, and occupies the western portion of the historical region called Terra di Bari, as well as the southernmost area of the Tavoliere. This province stretches from the Adriatic Sea to the hills bordering Basilicata, and houses various historic sites and interesting landmarks.

Andria

Andria is the largest city in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, located at the edge of Murge Plateau. Inhabited since ancient times, Andria emerged in the Late Middle Ages as a fortified city, with the imposing Castel del Monte built nearby in the 13th century. The city was governed by local noble families under the rule of the Kingdom of Naples for centuries, and now it is a large agricultural center.

✪ Castel del Monte

Castel del Monte is a 13th-century castle erected in the countryside south of Andria. Built under the rule of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, it is regarded as a masterpiece of medieval architecture. The small castle is famous for its unusual octagonal plan, surrounded by eight imposing bastions. The fort was also used as a prison, and most of its internal decorations were removed, but its imposing structure remains very well preserved. Now a museum, the castle is one of the most famous landmarks of Apulia, and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Andria Cathedral

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

The Andria Cathedral (Cattedrale di Andria) is the main church of Andria, located in the center of the city. The current cathedral was built in the 11th century over a previous church, and was later reworked, resulting in a blend of Romanesque and Gothic style, with Baroque additions. The church houses various artworks and some relics, and features an ancient crypt hosting the tombs of two of the wives of Frederick II.

Diocesan Museum of Andria

The Diocesan Museum of Andria (Museo Diocesano di Andria) is a museum of religious art in Andria. Its collection includes several artworks spanning a period between the Late Middle Ages and the 20th century.

Trani

Trani is a city located on the Adriatic coast of Apulia between Barletta and Bisceglie. Founded in ancient times, Trani rose to prominence in the Middle Ages, becoming one of the most prosperous ports in the region. The city was for centuries one of the main ports on the Adriatic Sea, and remained a center of regional importance. Trani is now a tourist destination, known for its beautiful old town and impressive cathedral.

✪ Trani Cathedral

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

The Trani Cathedral (Cattedrale di Trani) is one of the greatest examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Located near the sea in the old town of Trani, the cathedral was erected in the 12th century over a previous church. The church was built using the typical white stone of Trani, and features a pointed arch passageway under the bell tower, which is one of the tallest in the region. The facade of the church has a Romanesque-style portal and a rose window, while the interior is mostly bare, as later additions were removed leaving the cathedral to its medieval appearance. Still, the church houses some artworks and mosaics. The cathedral also includes a lower church and an ancient crypt underneath the main structure.

Diocesan Museum of Trani

The Diocesan Museum of Trani (Museo Diocesano di Trani) is a museum located next to the Trani Cathedral. Its collection includes many religious artworks spanning several centuries, including numerous paintings. The museum also houses many archaeological findings, ancient ceramics, and a rich lapidarium with pieces from the Middle Ages.

Jewish Quarter of Trani

During the Late Middle Ages, Trani hosted a thriving Jewish community, which suffered from many periods of persecution until they were expelled in 1541. The Jewish Quarter of Trani (Quartiere Ebraico di Trani) is part of the old town of the city, and houses two synagogues. The Sinagoga Grande is the largest and, after serving as a church for centuries, now it houses a museum dedicated to the history of the local Jewish community. Nearby is another medieval synagogue, the Sinagoga Scolanova.

Swabian Castle

The Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo) is a seaside castle erected during the 13th century in Trani. The castle features two tall towers overlooking the sea, and was for centuries one of the main castles in the region. The castle was later reworked and turned into a prison, and now serves as a museum.

Villa Comunale

The Villa Comunale is a seaside park located east of the old town of Trani. The park, opened in the 19th century, is adorned with many trees and various decorations, and houses a small medieval fort on the sea.

Bisceglie

Bisceglie is a seaside town on the Adriatic coast of the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, located between Trani and Molfetta. Inhabited since prehistoric times, the modern town emerged in the Late Middle Ages, and remained a small but flourishing port for centuries. Bisceglie is now an agricultural and industrial center with some ancient landmarks.

Bisceglie Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of San Pietro Apostolo (Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo)

The Bisceglie Cathedral (Duomo di Bisceglie) is the main church of the city, erected between the 11th and 13th century in Romanesque style. The church features a large fresco on its external wall, and houses various ancient artworks and a crypt hosting some relics. Next to the cathedral is a museum of local religious art.

Dolmens of Bisceglie

The countryside south of Bisceglie features various dolmens, which are megalithic tombs built during the Neolithic. One of these is the Dolmen della Chianca, which dates from the Bronze Age and is regarded as one of most important prehistoric monuments in all of Italy. Nearby are two more similar structures, the Dolmen di Albarosa and the Dolmen Frisari.

Barletta

Barletta is a city located west of Trani along the Adriatic coast of Apulia. Founded in ancient times as a small port, the town developed in the Middle Ages and was for centuries a flourishing trade center. Now one of the largest cities in Apulia, it is known for its large castle and for hosting in its territory the archaeological site of Canne della Battaglia.

✪ Barletta Castle

The Barletta Castle is a large fortress on the sea erected over various phases between the 11th and 18th century. Originally built by the Normans as part of the fortifications of the city, the castle was greatly expanded under the rule of Frederick II, and was again reworked over the following centuries. Four large bastions were added during the 16th century, giving the structure its current appearance. The castle was used as military barracks until World War II, and it is still well preserved. The fort now houses the Civic Museum of Barletta (Museo Civico di Barletta), which includes a collection of paintings dating between the Middle Ages and the 20th century.

✪ Archaeological Park of Canne della Battaglia

Canne is an ancient village founded in prehistoric times and located near the Ofanto river southwest of Barletta. The site is known for the Battle of Cannae, in which the forces of Carthage led by Hannibal defeated the Romans in 216 BCE. The town was destroyed and rebuilt a few times during the Middle Ages, until it was definitely abandoned. The Archaeological Park of Canne della Battaglia (Parco Archeologico di Canne della Battaglia) houses the ruins of the town, which include prehistoric, Roman, and medieval structures. A museum inside the park houses several prehistoric objects unearthed here, as well as other archaeological findings.

Barletta Cathedral

Also known as: Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore)

The Barletta Cathedral (Duomo di Barletta) is the main church of the city, located near the castle. The cathedral was built in Romanesque and Gothic style between the 12th and 14th century over an older church. The cathedral features various medieval decorations and ancient artworks.

Colossus of Barletta

The Colossus of Barletta is a large bronze statue made in the 5th century. Its origin is unclear, as it was probably somewhere else before arriving here, but it was already in Barletta in the 14th century. The identity of the emperor depicted in the statue is also unknown. Nevertheless, the huge and well preserved statue became an iconic symbol of the city. The statue is located next to the Basilica of Santo Sepolcro, a large medieval church erected starting in the 12th century in Gothic style. The church houses numerous religious objects and artworks taken by the Crusaders from the Holy Land.

Pinacoteca De Nittis

Pinacoteca De Nittis is an art museum in Barletta, dedicated to local 19th-century artist Giuseppe De Nittis. The museum houses a rich collection of paintings by De Nittis, one of the most prominent artists of the Italian Impressionism.

Margherita di Savoia

Margherita di Savoia is a seaside town located west of Barletta. Known since ancient times for its large salterns, it was called Saline di Barletta until 1879, until it was renamed in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy.

Salterns of Margherita di Savoia

The Salterns of Margherita di Savoia (Saline di Margherita di Savoia) are the largest salt marsh in Europe and one of the largest in the world. The salterns were heavily contested for centuries because of the precious salt, and in the 20th century they were partly turned into an industrial area. The area is also known for its fauna, and it is a popular site for birdwatching, hosting a colony of flamingoes.

Canosa di Puglia

Canosa di Puglia is a town located west of Andria in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. Inhabited since at least the Neolithic, the ancient Canusium was one of the most important centers of Southern Italy during the age of the Greek colonization and the Roman period. The town was destroyed and rebuilt in the Middle Ages, and slowly declined. Now an agricultural center, it still has many historic landmarks.

Basilica of San Sabino

The Basilica of San Sabino is a historic church in the center of Canosa di Puglia. Founded by the Lombards around the 8th century, it features a blend of Romanesque and Byzantine elements, but most of the structure was rebuilt after the church was damaged by an earthquake in 1851. Inside, it houses some artworks, while adjacent to the basilica is the Mausoleum of Bohemond (Mausoleo di Boemondo), built in the 12th century to house the remains of Bohemond I of Antioch, one of the leaders of the First Crusade.

Civic Archaeological Museum of Canosa di Puglia

The Civic Archaeological Museum of Canosa di Puglia (Museo Civico Archeologico di Canosa Di Puglia) is a museum that houses a collection of ancient objects in Canosa di Puglia. The museum hosts numerous archaeological findings unearthed around the city and dating between prehistory and the Middle Ages, including many ancient coins and vases.

Roman Ruins of Canosa di Puglia

Various Roman ruins can be found around Canosa di Puglia. One of these is the Arch of Trajan (Arco di Traiano), built in the 2nd century and located just west of the town. Nearby is the Roman Bridge (Ponte Romano) on the Ofanto river, and a few other ancient structures are also located in the same area. The ruins of the Temple of Jupiter Toro (Tempio di Giove Toro) are instead located inside the city.

Archaeological Park of San Leucio

The Archaeological Park of San Leucio (Parco Archeologico di San Leucio) is an archaeological area located just south of Canosa di Puglia. The park features the ruins of the Basilica of San Leucio, which was originally a Hellenistic temple and was later turned into a church in the Early Middle Ages. The church still features elaborate mosaics, while a small archaeological museum inside the park houses various objects found here.