Bari is the capital city of Puglia, on the Adriatic Sea, the second most important economic centre of mainland Southern Italy after Naples, home of Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus).

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Some historical buildings in the wonderful city built along the sea:

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-Basilica di San Nicola was founded in 1087 to receive the relics of this saint.

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-Teatro Petruzzelli, a theatre founded in 1903, host of many forms of live entertainment.

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-Castello Svevo (Swabian Castle) was built by Roger II of Sicily around 1131. The castle now serves as a gallery for a variety of temporary exhibitions in the city.

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-Chiesa Russa (Russian Church) was built in the early 20th century to welcome Russian pilgrims who came to the city to visit the church of Saint Nicholas in the old city, where the relics of the saint remain.

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-Barivecchia or Old Bari, is a sprawl of streets and passageways making up the section of the city to the north of the modern Murat area, where there are two main squares, Piazza Mercantile and Piazza Ferrarese.

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