citta vecchia - bari

This was a charming place worth taking time to walk around and explore.Hidden away are many small shops and cafes waiting to be found .There was the odd beggar but we did not encounter any problems with them.

We love the difference in urban and social structures that present so well in this medieval village sitting on a promontory dividing the old port from the great port (old & new) under the shadow of the massive castello Svevo. The village is uniform and well- preserved with winding streets and tightly packed houses that shelter against the high winds and storms. Its easy to see the influences of Bari's melting-pot heritage of Greek, Saracen, Norman and Spanish have had. In the old quarter, we breath-in the atmosphere of the past, eat a plate of orecciette con le cime dirapa... a shell-shaped pasta with turnip top... have a vino, while in the new city, where we stroll the wide streets crowded with shoppers and elegant boutiques along the Corso Cavour. At the Corso, we shop at the outdoor markets for the red-gold tomatoes from Puglia as well as other heavenly staples essential to hold life and soul together. The olive oil from this region is top-drawe with my favourite being, the terra d'Otranto variety. If you love castles, Bari is rich with them. Castel del Monte is an imposing structure with eight towers and octagonal in in plan. The castle in Barletta is superb, as is the Emperor's ( Fredrick II) Royal residence, and the Gioia della Colle castle is fabulous to be able to able to connect the dots leading to important episodes in his life.

The heart of Bari, renovated and safer than before so that you can have a stroll, at night if you wish, and enjoy the beauty of the tiny streets interspersed with ancient churches (not just the two famous one are nice).Two things worth noticing: every now and then you can see a woman preparing fresh Orecchiette (traditional pasta from Bari), and, hung on a wall right below some arches, images of Christian saints.

With well-preserved buildings, narrow paved streets, warm light lamps, several terraces and bars full of friendly people, Bari old town is a destination that must be seen !

We didn't know Bari but this is where Wizzair flew us to discover Lecce, Alberobello and Matera in the region. Well Bari Old Town deserves a visit, starting with a market of fresh fish and seafood just at the entrance of old town on the quays. And Saint Nicholas. And the windy streets ...

Do not miss to visit the Old City (Citta Vecchia). You will love the narrow street and it's people very close to each other, like in the old times - you are a bit back in time. Recommended.

Another lovely old Italian town with the added interest of seeing the women making pasta in the streets.

We stayed for a day and a night in the old town. If we had seen the new town we would not have stayed here after the joys of Polignano and Alberobelli. The old town running from the port along the sea front is truly lovely, with real people living on top of each other and open doors everywhere. The Basilica, the Cathedral and the Castle are all well worth seeing with first the highlight. Avoid modern industrial Bar but do give the Citra Vecchia a visit.

Walk the narrow winding streets and visit the 2 old churches. Perfect mix of old and new. The old city is well preserved and people still live in old dwellings inside the walled old quarters.

The interesting old city largely consists of narrow and winding streets. You can visit the medieval monuments, such as the Swabian castle and main churches, the Cathedral of San Sabino and the Basilica of San Nicola. Bari has rich and cosmopolitan past, due to its strategic position and important port, so you can find traces of Byzantine, Norman, Arabic, Angevin and Pisan culture. There are a lot of pleasant places for having a meal or drink or just relax in the shade.

Take your time to walk through the small streets, talk. To the local people, try the different kinds of coffee. Absolutely a must!

Friday night in the historic centre with what seemed like the whole of Bari out enjoying the bars and restaurants. Lovely waterfront with lights and views over the bay.

Bello e affascinante.Si respira l'aria di Bari nella sua essenza.Belli i posticini dove le signore preparano le frittelle baresi per pochi euro. Stradine su stradine, case e finestre che si lasciano guardare per i propri colori e i propri arredi.Bari è qui!

Scorci improvvisamente belli, un intrigo di vicoli che tutt'a un tratto finiscono in una piazza medioevale o in quella del Ferrarese o sui panoramici bastioni del lungomare; la Cattedrale e la Basilica di S. Nicola che, senza alcun preavviso, si presentano maestose allo sbocco di un vicolo qualsiasi, questo e tant'altro è il centro antico di Bari. Nessun problema di sicurezza, tutto pulito, tanta gente, tanti bar, ristoranti e ottime focaccerie e quanti tabernacoli! Tutto bello e quello che è più importante tutto autentico. Magari anche i baresi potrebbero fare di meglio restaurando le facciate, tenere al minimo i panni stesi e qualche negozio in più di prodotti locali.

per una veloce passeggiata decido di entrare nelle caratteristiche viuzze. La parte che ho visitato tra la cattedrale di San Nicola e S.Sabino mi è apparsa molto ben tenuta e pulita con diverse piccole attività artigiane. Molto interessante mentre passeggi sentire le persone che parlano in tipico dialetto barese.In caso di nuova visita cercherò di andare in questa zona per approfondire questa particolarità della città di BARI e dei suoi abitanti.3 marzo 2015