Many visitors skip the capital city of Bari, and that’s a shame. It’s a grand old town, with broad boulevards, great shopping and a well-regarded university that supports a healthy supply of bars and restaurants.
The city’s most prominent building is the Basilica di San Nicola, a splendid church built in the Romanesque style, and one of the earliest Norman churches in Puglia. It was built to house the mortal remains of St Nicholas (better known as Father Christmas). You’ll find the city’s history is well explored at the Museo Archeologico di Santa Scolastica, which has exhibits dating back to Bronze Age and Roman times.
