Bari, Apulia regional capital, concentrates its treasures in its medieval historic centre: the Basilica of Saint Nicholas which enshrines the Patron Saint’s relics beneath the alter in the crypt; the Norman-Swabian Castle whose towers and bastions protect the entrance to the city and dominate the sea today as a thousand year ago; the Cathedral of San Sabino, splendid example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. The modern part of Bari has its own charm, too. It takes the name of Murat quarter from its French founder Joachim Murat and is laid out on a rectangular grid-plan. It boasts many notable monuments, including three prestigious theatres, namely the Teatro Piccinni, the Teatro Petruzzelli and the Liberty-style Teatro Margherita which has a unique peculiarity: its pillars are based in the sea. A walk along the promenade should not be missed: elegant buildings overlook the sea, such as Kursaal Santa Lucia theatre, Albergo delle Nazioni and Palazzo della Provincia with the most important art gallery in Apulia.       
Thanks to its strategic position, Trani has always been an important cultural and economic centre of Apulia. According to tradition its name derives from its founder Tyrrhenian, the son of the Greek mythological hero Diomedes, but apart from the legends Trani definitely boasts ancient origins (dating back to the Bronze Age). Its numerous artistic and historic treasures prove its glorious past. First of all, the Cathedral dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Pilgrim, a masterpiece of Romanesque style: built in the characteristic local limestone, it takes on different nuances of white and light pink colours depending on the sunlight. Moreover, it enjoys an exceptional location since it lies on a raised open site close to the sea: its high bell tower seems a lighthouse rising up on the Adriatic Sea to protect and give shelter to sailors. The imposing Swabian Castle is surrounded by the sea, too. It was commissioned by Frederick II, and Manfred, the Emperor’s beloved son, celebrated his wedding there. The Emperor, who had an eclectic and cosmopolitan mind, encouraged the development of a large Jewish community in Trani, as confirmed by the presence of a Giudecca, which remains much as it was in the medieval period, and several synagogues which were later transformed in Catholic churches. Only Santa Maria di Scolanova was rededicated as synagogue: today it is the oldest Jewish temple in Europe, while the church of Sant’Anna is now a museum. Before leaving Trani a walk along the port is unmissable. On one side pleasure and fishing boats follow one another, while on the other side a row of nice buildings (like Palazzo Caccetta) proves Trani’s glorious past. From the fortino near molo di Sant’Antonio you can enjoy a panoramic view of the town.
Castel del Monte is undoubtedly a masterpiece of medieval architecture commissioned by the Holy Roman Emperor. Its function and its real use are still shrouded in mystery, its secrets continue to intrigue scholars and visitors to this day and its unusual octagonal plan is considered an intermediate symbol between a square (representing the earth) and a circle (representing the sky).