Bari, Resting Place of St Nicholas
The tomb of the saint who became Santa Claus, in the heart of the old town.
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Santa Claus, Father Christmas and Sinterklaas all go back to St Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra in present-day Turkey. In 1087 sailors from Bari brought his remains home, and the Basilica di San Nicola was built over them. The relics still lie in the crypt, and both Catholic and Orthodox pilgrims come here. Around the basilica lies Bari Vecchia, a maze of alleys where women make orecchiette by hand outside their homes. His feast day is 6 December.
The stops
- 1
Norman-Swabian Castle of Bari
The castle built by the Normans and rebuilt by Emperor Frederick II in the 13th century.
- 2
Cathedral of Saint Sabinus
A Romanesque cathedral from the 12th and 13th centuries.
- 3
Strada Arco Basso
The alley where women make and sell orecchiette at their doors. People live here, so be considerate.
- 4
Basilica of Saint Nicholas
A Romanesque basilica with the tomb of St Nicholas in the crypt and an Orthodox chapel.
- 5
Teatro Margherita
An Art Nouveau theatre from 1914, built on stilts out in the sea.
About the trip
- Where
- Bari
- Getting around
- On foot
- Time
- 2 h 2 min
- Distance
- 1.8 km
- Stops
- 5
- Themes
- History, Food
Practical
- Start
- Castello Normanno-Svevo, on the edge of the old town, about 1 km from Bari Centrale.
- Finish
- Teatro Margherita on the seafront promenade.
- Toilets
- In cafés in the old town and along the promenade.
- Accessibility
- A flat route, but narrow alleys with slippery paving stones. The crypt is reached by stairs.