Bari is a port city in southern Italy on the Adriatic Sea, 41 miles from Matera. Stroll past the 12th-century Castello Svevo and enter the walled Old Town’s maze of streets to discover quaint churches, alleys, and squares. One of the most important cities in southern Italy, second only to Naples, Bari offers all the old world charm of the medieval era. The Romanesque San Sabino Cathedral with its underground Museo del Succorpo della Cattedrale is one of the most popular sites, where excavations reveal a Christian basilica and Roman ruins. The iconic 11th-century Basilica of Saint Nicholas houses the saint’s relics, a magnificent gold ceiling, a crypt and a cathedral or Bishop’s Throne. Walk along the waterfront to the Murat quarter with its 19th-century architecture, boutiques, cafes, and bars. At the Archaeological Museum of Santa Scolastica, you can learn more about Bari’s 4000-year-old history, with exhibits including prehistoric lithic tools, ceramics, coins, stone and terracotta sculptures, and engraved gems. A Visit to the vibrant seafood market is an essential Bari experience, where friendly fisherfolk serve you the day’s fresh catch, paired with Peroni beer.