BASILICA SAN NICOLA

In the heart of the old city, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas is a magnificent example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Built between 1087 and 1197, it houses in its crypt the relics of Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myre (now Turkey) in the 4th century. The basilica has the particularity of hosting two confessions, Catholic and Orthodox, and it attracts many pilgrims from Eastern Europe. The imposing white limestone facade dominates a square enclosed by the Pilgrims' Portico. Walk around the building to admire the portals decorated with vegetal motifs, horsemen and battle scenes, and the sculptures of bulls and elephants supporting the columns. The interior is majestic and uncluttered, contrasting with the 17th century ceiling of gilded and painted wood. In the choir is the cathedra of Elia, a throne supported by grotesque figures that was carved from a single block of marble in the 12th century. The 28 columns in the crypt feature Byzantine and Romanesque capitals decorated with zoomorphic and vegetal motifs.

Inaugurated in 2019, the Nicolaiano Museum traces the history of Bari through sculptures, manuscripts and goldsmith works such as the crown of the Norman king Roger II.

The relics transported to Russia. From May 21 to 28, 2017, the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, preserved for nearly a millennium in the Basilica of Bari, exceptionally traveled to Russia as part of an agreement between Pope Francis and the Patriarch of Moscow, Cyril.