Narrow alleys, architecture of the past and old ladies preparing orecchiette on the sidewalks: this is the old town of Bari, the heart of Bari’s culture and traditions.
Ancient nucleus of the city, Bari Old Town is a neighborhood on your list of things to see to discover the true local spirit of Bari.
Do you want to get to know the most characteristic areas of our historic center with us? Then read on!
Luigi del Ghiaccio and the alley Behind Tresca
Hidden in the narrow street Behind Tresca, at the corner with Piazza Castello Svevo, is an old shop that has been supplying the people of Bari with ice for more than 70 years!
This is the historic activity of Luigi del Ghiaccio who, at the end of the Second World War, decided to make up for the lack of refrigerators and freezers by selling ice retail. Thanks to his simple but ingenious idea, the ancient families of Bari were always able to keep vegetables, fish, meat and drinks cool even without appliances!
Although now all the houses in Bari have refrigerators, we locals continue to be fond of Mr. Luigi’s service. Picnics, trips out of town or outdoor parties are all perfect occasions to order large reserves of ice, conveniently delivered to your home, with which to cool fresh fruit and the ever-present cold beers!
This is why Luigi del Ghiaccio’s shop is an unmissable stop on The First, our most loved free tour!
But it is enough to pass Luigi del Ghiaccio’s shop and enter the alley Behind Tresca to be surprised by the rich history of this alley.
Also known as “scese de Gigi” from the name of a famous oil seller who lived there, the alley behind Tresca develops downhill leading to a picturesque round arch decorated with a blue vault. This is the ancient Carducci arch, where you can see an icon of the Madonna Odegitria stolen from Constantinople in 1933.
The arch of Strada Vanese and the arch of Meraviglie: Santa Claus and Romeo and Juliet
The Carducci arch is only one of the fifty arches found in Bari Old Town. Small and low passages that decorate the labyrinth of the ancient village, if you are looking for what to see in Bari you cannot miss the arch of Strada Vanese and the arch of Meraviglie.
Located behind the famous Basilica of San Nicola, the arch of Strada Vanese owes its name to a well-known banker of the 18th century. Following a tragic bankruptcy, this illustrious figure fled the city, leaving behind numerous debts and the resentment of his creditors.
Dating back to the 15th century, the arch of Strada Vanese has a round vault surmounted by the ancient emblem of the city: up until the construction of the Lungomare, in fact, this arch was the gateway to the historic center for the sailors who arrived in boat.
And it was precisely the sailors who, in 1087, let the relics of the patron saint of Bari enter through this arch: St. Nicola, also known as… Santa Claus!
This is why it is right under the arch of Strada Vanese that, during our free tour The First, we will discover the legend of the saint most loved by children through a fun interactive video!
If, on the other hand, you love romance and love stories, then a visit to the famous arch of Meraviglie in via Zonnelli cannot be missed.
An ancient legend tells how this small arch appeared one night to unite two young lovers who lived in the adjacent buildings. Opposed by the families, the two lovers managed to crown their love thanks to this bow. A story that is somewhat reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet, but with a completely Bari happy ending!
What to see in Bari Old Town to enjoy our street food
Our journey to discover what to see in Bari Old Town cannot end without a visit to the places where you can taste the typical Bari street food!
Handmade focaccia, historic salami factories and squares full of nightlife: Bari Vecchia offers endless options to taste the flavors of good local food.
The Panificio Fiore
Near the Basilica, in Strada Palazzo di Città, for 100 years the Panificio Fiore has been an essential stop to enjoy a “hot wheel“, the classic freshly baked focaccia from Bari.
Opened in 1912 by baker Giuseppe Fiore, this bakery is known for never turning off its oven and for producing a focaccia that is “blessed by the hand of St. Nicholas”.
Indeed, in the 1970s, during renovation work, the Fiore family discovered that their bakery stood on an ancient 16th century church. A confirmation, in short, of the quality of their “devoted and blessed” focaccia!
The Antica Salumeria da Nicola
Crossing Strada Bianchi Dottula, on the other hand, one cannot help but notice a shop displaying taralli, fresh pasta and typical products: it is the Antica Salumeria da Nicola, which has been delighting the people of Bari with its quality cured meats since 1930.
The perfect place to eat a delicious sandwich, the characteristic interiors with barrel vaults, wicker chandeliers and chain sausages make this delicatessen a must-see among the things to see in Bari Vecchia.
Largo Albicocca
Finally, continuing from the Antica Salumeria towards the heart of the old city, we arrive at Largo Albicocca.
An ancient city market square, Largo Albicocca owes its name to an apricot tree that once stood right in the center of the large open space. Tradition tells how the fruits of this tree were exchanged as a token of love between young lovers from Bari.
But romance isn’t the only thing that makes Largo Albicocca an unmissable place. Thanks to important redevelopment interventions, this square has been transformed into an urban vegetable garden decorated with rows of lights and surrounded by typical Bari restaurants.
Perfect for a stop at the foot of two centuries-old olive trees, Largo Albicocca offers its visitors the opportunity to munch on two of the most loved finger foods by the locals: sgagliozze and popizze.
Cubes of fried polenta seasoned with a simple sprinkling of salt, sgagliozze are never lacking in Bari aperitifs. As well as popizze, simple pancakes with a small and irregular shape.
If reading about all these delicacies made your mouth water, then all you need to do is book your Bari food tour! Thanks to our Your Tours we offer everyone the opportunity to discover the flavors and colors of the old city in the company of our guides.
We are already waiting for you with a nice bag of sgagliozze: all you have to do is book your tour and join us!