01. CASTELLO SVEVO

Founded on a pre-existing Norman fortress, the castle was built around 1090.
The structure has undergone major alterations over the centuries. Frederick II, who stayed here on several occasions, undertook the first important changes.
The castle served as a residence for Charles I of Anjou in the 13th century. He strengthened it structurally by building a moat and a defensive wall to the west.
The Paraticchio fortification facing the west coast and the fortified walls were instead built by the Aragons.
The current square structure, which has four lance bastions placed at the top, is the work of the Habsburgs, who also strengthened the fortifications.
Admission Fee
Winter hours: Tues – Sun 09:00 –19:00

Summer hours: Tues – Sun 10:00 – 20:00
Ticket office shuts 45 minutes before closing: Tel +39 0883.578621

02. THE CIVIC MUSEUM

Established in 1898, the Museum is housed within the Castello Svevo. It contains archaeological collections, paintings and sculptures acquired by the city or donated by prominent citizens. The museum consists of three sections: The Ancient Gallery, The 19th Century Gallery, and The Ferdinando Cafiero Gallery. There is also a lapidarium and a bust attributed to Frederick II.

The Ancient Gallery exhibits works dating from the late 1400s to mid 1700s, which were mostly donated by Giuseppe Gabbiani.

The 19th Century Gallery houses the works of three painters from Barletta who were almost precise contemporaries of De Nittis: Gabbiani, De Stefano and Girondi.

The Ferdinando Cafiero Gallery exhibits crafts, paintings, prints and gifts left by Cafiero.

At the Castle
Admission Fee

Winter hours: Tues – Sun 09:00 –19:00

Summer hours: Tues – Sun 10:00 – 20:00
Ticket office shuts 45 minutes before closing: Tel +39 0883.578621

03. SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE CATHEDRAL

This structure dates from the 12th century and reflects the accumulation of several different eras: classical, early Christian, high medieval, Romanesque and Gothic. The faithful are welcomed by a splendid Renaissance portal and a beautiful Romanesque rose window. The Romanesque and Gothic parts are harmoniously merged yet still distinct. The principal examples from the Gothic period are seen in the polygonal apse with chapels and the sculptural relief that decorates the entire structure. The bell tower on four levels is located on the north side. On the left side, there is a visible inscription celebrating the Challenge of Barletta. Ruins of an early Christian basilica and an underground shrine or pre-Roman hypogeum are found in the crypt.

Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00 / 16:00 – 20:00

04. THE CHURCH OF SAN ANDREA

At the time of its construction, this church was not much bigger than a chapel and was dedicated to San Salvatore. The structure was changed around 1530, following the plan of an alms church and based on the idea of ​​simplicity. This is evident in its linear architectural features and lack of frills. At the end of the 16th century, the church was enlarged with the construction of a fine Neapolitan wood choir, a presbyterate, twelve altars with chapels and the tombs of aristocratic families of the city. The magnificent portal with sculptures and a tympanum in a Byzantine style stand out from the church’s otherwise simplicity. Also of note is the panel of the Madonna and Child, done in 1483 by Alvise Vivarini.

Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00 / 16:00 – 20:00

05. CANTINA DELLA SFIDA (THE CHALLENGE INN)

This historic inn, now known as the “Cantina della Sfida” or “Inn of the Challenge”, is located on the ground floor of a beautiful 15th century palace. According to tradition, it was here that a banquet took place, during which a gauntlet was thrown down between the French and the Italian knights. This place was also once the home of the Grand Captain of the Spanish troops. It has a particularly evocative ambience with its medieval furniture and utensils as well as benches, bunks, stools, tools, shields and large fireplace. Aided by the imagination and a knowledge of historical events, you can relive the moment when the gauntlet was thrown down here.

Admission fee – combined with Castle

Winter hours: Tuesday – Sunday 09:00 – 13:00 / 15:00 – 19:00

Tel +39 0883.532204

06. Church of Santa Maria dei Suffragi delle Anime del Purgatorio (Saint Mary of the Suffering in Purgatory)

Built in 1721, this is an important testament to the Baroque style “Roman school” of architecture evident in Barletta. The front of the church has white limestone in its basement area while the upper part is made of tuff. The layout is characterized by a portico with three arches and a wider central arch above the entrance. The portal has a fine compartmentalised structure and is a masterpiece in cabinet-making. It leads to the octagonal central area. The church contains two stone altars and a marble high altar dedicated to the Madonna dei Suffragi. It is also decorated with a valuable painting by Giambattista Calò. The octagonal geometry is repeated in the church’s rib vaulting above.

Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00 / 16:00 – 20:00

07. Santa Maria degli Angeli (the Greek Church)

This church and the adjoining hospital were built in the late 14th century. Around the 16th century, the structure was entrusted to the Coronei, a colony of Greeks fleeing from the Turks. With some ups and downs, it remained part of the Greek community until the 20th century. You enter the church through a small ramp. In spite of its external simplicity, the interior has a nave which it is particularly interesting. The church also has a monumental iconostasis, which is among the most interesting examples of its type in southern Italy. The floor is completely covered in traditional green and ochre-coloured Neapolitan tiles. There are antique wooden benches along the sides of the central area.

Tours by appointment: Tel +39 0883.578621

08. Basilica of San Domenico

In 1531, the Dominicans acquired the ancient church of Santa Maria Magdalene (Saint Mary Magdalen). The church was enlarged in 1548 and renamed the church of San Domenico. Around 1660, the church and the adjoining convent were completed. Over time, the convent became a college which was amongst the most famous within the Dominican Order. The layout is symmetrical with one entrance marked by a portal placed between niches and pilasters. The structure has a single nave with ten side chapels. The church contains paintings of remarkable value and a statue, La Madonna del Rosario (Our Lady of the Rosary). It’s here that the 13 Italian knights, led by Ettore Fieramosca, came on 13 February 1503 to give thanks after the Challenge of Barletta.

Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00 / 16:00 – 20:00

09. The Colossus of Barletta – “Heraclius”

The Colossus of Barletta, dating back to Byzantine times, is better known as ‘Heraclius’. It is also affectionately known as ‘Arè’ in the local dialect. It is a colossal bronze statue, more than 4.5 meters high. It probably dates back to a period between the 4th and 5th centuries AD and may represent the Emperor Constantine. According to tradition, the statue arrived in Barletta on a Venetian ship, which was returning from the sack of Constantinople. The ship was caught in a storm and its heavy cargo went overboard. A newer version of the story behind the Colossus suggests it was found in Ravenna during excavations carried out by Emperor Frederick II. He then decided to bring his precious discovery to Apulia.

10. Basilica del Santo Sepolcro (Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre)

The Basilica del Santo Sepolcro is now one of the most important churches in the city. It stands at the intersection of Via Adriatica and Via Traiana. It was a strategic place and point of reference for pilgrims and crusaders on the way to the Holy Land and Jerusalem. The present basilica is the result of many transformations. It was built on the ruins of a medieval church but looks mainly Gothic because of the pointed arches on its main facade and sides. The structure is that of a basilica with three naves leading to three apses, visible from the Corso V. Emanuele. The Basilica houses precious icons and other medieval frescoes.

Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00 / 16:00 – 20:00

11. Giuseppe Curci Communal Theatre

This building, named after the famous composer from Barletta, stands on the site of an old convent. The theatre was first opened in 1819 and closed for major renovation in 1846. Following this, important changes were later made to improve the building’s stability and acoustics. At the same time, much attention was paid to its interior design, particularly with regard to materials and formal balance. This resulted in the creation of one of the most beautiful examples of Apulian neoclassical architecture. You enter the theatre through an elegant porch and the auditorium is horseshoe shaped. It has a gallery and 48 boxes with papier-mâché decoration and arranged on three levels. The space is finely decorated.

Tours by appointment: Tel +39 0883.332456

12. Palazzo Della Marra

Palazzo Della Marra was the residence of several important noble families such as the Orsini, the Della Marra and the Fraggianni. It has a prestigious entrance portal, embellished with allegorical representations of Old Age and Youth. It also has an elegant balcony supported by five shelves decorated with griffins, dogs and monsters. The loggia overlooking the sea is richly decorated with allegorical themes on the seasons of life. In 1958, it became a state-owned property and major renovations were carried out. Since 2007, it has been the site of the Pinacoteca De Nittis (the De Nittis Art Gallery). In 2015, it became the property of the Municipality of Barletta. The first floor of the building is used for temporary exhibitions while the second is dedicated to the permanent De Nittis collection.

Admission Fee

Via Cialdini, 74

Winter hours: Tues – Sun 09:00 –19:00

Summer hours: Tues – Sun 10:00 – 20:00

Ticket office shuts 45 minutes before closing: Tel +39 0883.538372

13. Pinacoteca “Giuseppe De Nittis” (Giuseppe De Nittis Art Gallery)

This art gallery is housed in the historic Palazzo Della Marra. It now contains the richest and most prestigious collection of works by Giuseppe De Nittis, the impressionist painter from Barletta. It was created around donations made in 1914 by his widow, Leontine Lucille Gruville.

Born in Barletta in 1846, De Nittis trained in Naples, but found success in Paris and London. He died at only age 38 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

The Art Gallery houses works dating back to his Neapolitan period and includes landscapes done from life. It also includes works done during his Paris and London periods, when he was seduced by the charm of these cities.

Admission Fee

Via Cialdini, 74

Winter hours: Tues – Sun 09:00 –19:00

Summer hours: Tues – Sun 10:00 – 20:00

Ticket office shuts 45 minutes before closing: Tel +39 0883.538372

14. Madonna del Carmine Church

The church was built probably around 1360 for a Carmelite community which was expelled from the Holy Land. Because of its proximity to the sea, it was also called Santa Maria in Ripa (Santa Maria near the coast). Towards the end of 1600s, the church was flanked by a convent that was disbanded in the early 1800s. The outer facade of the church was rebuilt after 1731. Inside, the church has a nave with two side chapels containing niches and an altar. The nave ends with a sanctuary that encompasses the main altar, dating from the 800s. You can admire the beautiful tile floor, which covers the entire church and is decorated with geometric patterns, and the splendid, rare collection of 17th century Neapolitan school paintings.

Mon – Sun 09:00 – 12:00 / 16:00 – 20:00

15. Porta Marina (The Marina Gate)

The splendid Porta Marina, located in the square, is the only surviving ancient gate from the city’s civil defence system. This was an access route especially used by those going to the port to inspect goods coming in and out of Barletta. As such, it served as a customs house for the city. The current Porta Marina dates from 1751, replacing an earlier one from the Middle Ages. The construction of the new gate became necessary following changes to the city walls. Porta Marina shows two different finely decorated facades done in late Baroque style. The crest of the Bourbon family appears on one.

16. Canne della Battaglia Site

 This site was the scene of the most famous ancient military clash between the Romans and Carthaginians, which ended in a massacre of the former. Canne della Battaglia is not only a place marked by a great historic event, but also a territory that has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The archaeological ruins of the citadel there include: fortification walls, a decumanus with some remaining columns, milestones, houses, honorary bases and the remains of a larger church with at 10th century crypt and a minor basilica with early Christian tombs. The path through the citadel includes an Antiquarium, testifying to the long continuity of life there, from prehistory to the Middle Ages.

Monday and Sunday: 08:30 – 13:30

Tues – Sat: 08:30 – 19:00

Tel +39 0883 510993