Visit Barletta
Barletta is situated on the Adriatic coast of south-western Italy, in the Puglia (Apulia) region. In addition to the historical highlights of the town itself there are many sandy beaches within easy reach of the town.
A visit to Barletta can start from outside the walls, in the “Piazza Castello” where the castle stands. The castle entrance is to the south and accessed via a stone bridge. The entrance door to the left leads to the ancient seat of the guard, the right door to the chapel, where the Lords of the castle were buried. This hall leads to the square courtyard.
Barletta Castle was probably built in the Norman period, and appears for the first time in a document dated 1202. The castle was damaged in 1203 by the citizens, who besieged the castle to expel a pro-papal Lord of Castle. In 1228 Emperor Frederick II held here the famous Diet for the departure for the Sixth Crusade. The intervention by Frederick II (1194-1250) is evident on the south side, with two windows that feature the Imperial eagle grasping a hare in its claws, a recurring motif of the Swabians who rebuilt the castle. Between 1552 and 1559 further changes were made to the defensive walls.
The Municipal Museum and Art Gallery is situated here. These are devoted to “Giuseppe de Nittis” (1846-1884), and preserve some masterpieces by the painter, native to Barletta and one of the leading exponents of Italian painting in the late nineteenth century. Among the works note “The Breakfast in the Garden” (1883), “The races at Longchamps” (1883) and “The train passes” (1869). Giuseppe De Nittis’s style reflects the painting “en plein air”, a poetic idea very close to that of the Impressionists, who also were impressed by the works of G. Nittis when he moved to Paris.
Entering the historical centre of Barletta we find the Cathedral, started around 1140 then further expanded during the 12th century, when the Bell Tower was also added. In the crypt are the remains of two churches that pre-date the Cathedral, the oldest from the 6th century built by Bishop Sabino, and the second dated to the 10th-11th centuries.
In the heart of the city, at the junction of two major axes, the “Corso V. Emanuele” and “Corso Garibaldi”, is the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, an important Church that was Romanesque when built in the 12th century, then later transformed into Gothic style at the end of the 13th century. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre dates back to 1061 and in the 16th century was annexed to the Knights of Malta. Its architecture is of Apulian Romanesque style dating back to the XII-XIII century, with Oriental influences. The Basilica, as the name suggests, is linked to the Holy Land and in the Middle Ages was an important centre of pilgrims to Jerusalem. It is divided into three aisles and holds some works of great historical value, such as a a glazed dove from the 12th century, a Gothic silver and Crystal ostensory, a Breviary of the 13th century, and a relic of the cross. Equally important is the original sculptural work, which today exists only on the capitals of the semi-pillars huddled on the pillars of the nave and the narthex, with clear references to the art crusade.
Barletta is a city deeply tied to his own history and almost every year (in July),the famous "Disfida di Barletta" (linked to a fight between Italian and French knights) is commemorated, with costume parades and spectacular festivals. For the occasion there is also a great feast of local products, where we can enjoy some local dishes, such as the “orecchiette” and the special “braciolette”. The opportunity of a visit is very favourable to enjoy the local products such as cheeses, sausages, and the excellent seasonal fruit. Among the regional wines we mention in particular the “Rosso Barletta”. Among the sweets to tasting are the so-called "cartellate", cakes of thin dough in the form of pink and covered with honey.
See also history of Barletta