Bari

Bari
Name	Bari
Coordinates	41, 07, 31, N...
Region	Apulia
Province	Metropolitan City of Bari
Area total km2	117
Population total	316,491
Population as of	2023

Bari. Bari is the capital city of the Apulia region in southern Italy, situated on the Adriatic Sea. It serves as a major economic and cultural hub for the area, known for its important port and historic old town. The city is also a significant center for commerce, industry, and tourism, featuring notable landmarks such as the Basilica of Saint Nicholas.

History

The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, with the city itself likely founded by the Peucetii. It came under Roman control in the 3rd century BC, becoming a strategic municipium on the Via Traiana. Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Bari was ruled successively by the Ostrogoths, the Byzantine Empire, and the Lombards before becoming the capital of the Emirate of Bari in the 9th century. It was reconquered by the Byzantine Empire under Basil I and later came under Norman rule in 1071, after which the Basilica of Saint Nicholas was constructed to house the relics of Saint Nicholas. The city flourished under the House of Hohenstaufen, particularly Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, who built the Castello Normanno-Svevo. Later, it was part of the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies before joining a unified Italy in 1861. During World War II, the port was the site of the devastating air raid in 1943 and a major point for the Allied effort in the Italian campaign.

Geography

Bari is located on the Apulian Plain, facing the Adriatic Sea to the east. The urban area is divided into the historic old town, known as Bari Vecchia, on a peninsula, and the modern grid-planned Murat district to the south. The coastline features both rocky shores and sandy beaches, such as Pane e Pomodoro. The city lies within the Metropolitan City of Bari and is influenced by a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Major green spaces include the Parco 2 Giugno and the waterfront lungomare.

Economy

The economy is historically centered on its large port, the Port of Bari, which is a major gateway for trade and passenger traffic with the Balkans, Greece, and the Middle East. It is a key industrial and commercial center, with sectors including manufacturing, logistics, and wholesale trade. The Fiera del Levante is an important international trade fair. The city is also a growing hub for information technology and services, hosting branches of companies like IBM and Engineering Ingegneria Informatica. Agriculture from the surrounding Apulia region, particularly olive oil and wine, plays a significant role in the local economy, alongside a robust tourism sector.

Culture

The city is renowned for the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, a major pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Teatro Petruzzelli, one of Italy's largest opera houses, hosts performances by the Orchestra della Provincia di Bari. Traditional cuisine is highlighted by dishes like orecchiette pasta and street food such as sgagliozze. The University of Bari Aldo Moro is a central cultural institution, and the Pinacoteca Metropolitana di Bari houses important art collections. The Festival of Saint Nicholas in early December is a major event, and the city's dialect is part of the Apulian dialect group.

Transport

Bari is served by the Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport, located northwest of the city, with flights across Europe. The central railway station, Bari Centrale, is a major node on the Ferrovie dello Stato network, with high-speed connections to cities like Rome and Milan. The city's public transport includes an extensive bus network operated by AMTAB and a limited Bari Metro system. The Port of Bari offers frequent ferry services to destinations including Durrës, Bar, and Patras. An extensive system of highways, such as the Autostrada A14, connects Bari to the rest of Italy.

Government

The city is administered by the Municipality of Bari, led by a directly elected Mayor of Bari and a City Council. It is the capital of both the Apulia region and the Metropolitan City of Bari, which replaced the Province of Bari in 2015. The city hosts several important judicial and administrative bodies, including the Court of Appeal of Bari and the Apulia Regional Council. It is divided into five administrative municipalities and is part of the Bari electoral constituency for the Italian Parliament.

Category:Port cities and towns of the Adriatic Sea Category:Regional capitals in Italy