Italy Vacations

The second largest Southern Italy city, Bari is located within the heel of the boot, along the Adriatic Sea.  The city of Bari is well known as a port and a university city.  It can be separated into four main parts.  To the north is the closely constructed Barivecchia or “old town”.  Here one finds an intriguing mix of both old and new.  Sitting on a peninsula separating two harbors, this quarter of Bari is where one can find the incredible Basilica of San Nicola, founded in 1087; the Cathedral of San Sabino, and the Castello Svevo of Frederick II.  This area has also become one of the most lively areas for nightlife.  The two main squares here are Piazza Mercantile and Piazza Ferrarese where many pubs and other venues have opened. 

To Bari’s south lies the Murattiano section, known as the modern heart of the city.  This section of Bari is grid-shaped and contains what is said to be the largest shopping center in all of Italy. Here one finds a promenade along the sea, as well as major shopping along the streets of Via Sparano and Via Argiro.  The more modern city surrounds this center, making up the third section; and the outer suburbs, which have developed extremely rapidly make up the fourth of Bari's sections.