Place of worship

Basilica San Nicola

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Tips from locals

Luigi E Annalisa
June 1, 2019
The Pontifical Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of Saint Nicholas) is a church in Bari, southern Italy that holds wide religious significance throughout Europe and the Christian world. The basilica is an important pilgrimage destination both for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe. The basilica was built between 1087 and 1197, during the Italo-Norman domination of Apulia, the area previously occupied by the Byzantine Catapan of which Bari was the seat. Its foundation is related to the recovery of some of the relics of Saint Nicholas from the saint’s original shrine in Myra, in what is now Turkey. When Myra passed into the hands of the Saracens, some saw it as an opportunity to move the saint's relics to a safer location. According to the justifying legend, the saint, passing by the city on his way to Rome, had chosen Bari as his burial place. There was great competition for the relics between Venice and Bari. The latter won, the relics were carried off under the noses of the lawful Greek custodians and their Muslim masters, and on May 9, 1087, were safely landed at Bari. A new church was built to shelter Nicholas' remains and Pope Urban II was present at the consecration of the crypt in 1089. The edifice was officially consecrated in 1197, in the presence of the Imperial Vicar, Bishop Conrad of Hildesheim, and of numerous bishops, prelates and noblemen. Elias, abbot of the nearby monastery of Saint Benedict, was named as first archbishop. His cathedra (bishop's throne) still stands in the church to this day.The church has a rather square appearance, seemingly more suited to a castle than to a church. This impression is strengthened by the presence of two low massive towers framing the façade. It was indeed used several times as castle during its history. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by granite columns and pilasters. The presbytery is separated from the rest of the edifice by mean of three arches supported by columns of Byzantine influence. Above the aisles is the matronaeum, a tribune gallery for women, opening into the nave. The basilica was the first church of this design, setting a precedent which was later imitated in numerous other constructions in the region.The Basilica houses one of the most noteworthy Romanesque sculptural works of southern Italy, a cathedra (bishop's throne) finished in the late eleventh century for Elias. There are precious mosaic pavements in the crypt and presbytery. The ciborium, the most ancient in the region, is also decorated with mosaic; it has four columns with foliage, animals and mythological figures. The crypt, with 26 columns sporting capitals in Byzantine and Romanesque style, houses the relics of Saint Nicholas. The tomb of Saint Nicholas in Bari, as it appears today. In the church is the Renaissance tomb of Bona Sforza, (sixteenth century), in marble. The museum of the Basilica has precious works of art, including a collection of twelfth-century candlesticks donated by King Charles I of Anjou. The church was restored in the late thirteenth century, in 1456 and in the seventeenth century. In the twentieth-century restoration, most of the Baroque additions were removed, leaving only the gilded wooden ceiling, enframing canvases by Carlo De Rosa. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- La Basilica di San Nicola a Bari è uno degli edifici religiosi piu importanti e suggestivi d'Italia. Dedicata a San Nicola di Myra, santo caro sia ai cattolici che agli ortodossi nonchè patrono di Bari. Questa basilica fu costruita proprio per custodire le spoglie del Santo nel 1089 è oggi uno dei luoghi più visitati della puglia e merita una visita per diversi motivi. Mirabile esempio di stile romanico, ha all'interno il Ciborio (il baldacchino di marmo sopra l'altare) più antico di Puglia che risale al 1150 e ancora i bellissimi soffitti dorati di legno con dipinti del '600, l'altare d'argento e la Cattedra di Elia (una delle sculture più rappresentativi di Puglia).
The Pontifical Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of Saint Nicholas) is a church in Bari, southern Italy that holds wide religious significance throughout Europe and the Christian world. The basilica is an important pilgrimage destination both for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians from Eastern E…
Domenico
April 20, 2016
The Basilica di San Nicola (Basilica of Saint Nicholas) is a church in Bari, southern Italy that holds wide religious significance throughout Europe and the Christian world. The basilica is an important pilgrimage destination both for Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe
Nicola
July 31, 2017
Questa Basilica e la sua Cripta sono assolutamente da visitare per gli affreschi e la sua architettura. The Church keeps the remains of Saint Nicolas of Mira who loves all the foreigner ...and therefore loves you too! Grant a visit and make your best wish!
Antoinette
June 18, 2014
Basilica of St. Nicholas
Pasqua
February 17, 2018
the basilica is an example of splendid Romanesque architecture. Now a holy place also for pilgrims from Eastern Europe, where St. Nicholas is very revered basilica esempio di splendida architettura romanica. Ormai luogo sacro anche per i pellegrini dall'est europa, dove San Nicola è molto venerato

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Location
13 Largo Abate Elia
Bari, Puglia