Bari

This city lies along the Adriatic coast and consists of a historic peninsula with narrow streets plus a modern section stretching between two harbors. The old town is enclosed by defensive walls, while broad avenues and rectangular squares run through the newer districts behind the harbor area.

The settlement began as a Roman trading harbor and grew into a central Mediterranean hub in the second century after the Via Traiana was built. Later, Byzantine and Norman rulers took control, shaping the architecture of the medieval center that remains visible today.

Residents gather in small squares around the old quarter, sipping espresso and spending long hours in conversation throughout the day. In the narrow alleys, locals often hang laundry between balconies, creating an everyday scene of city life that visitors can observe firsthand.

You can reach the city through the international airport or the main train station, which offers connections to many destinations across Italy and along the Adriatic coast. The historic quarter is easy to explore on foot, while the newer districts are accessible by bus lines that run frequently throughout the day.

In the old quarter, women prepare fresh orecchiette pasta at wooden tables in the streets daily and sell it to passersby who can watch this tradition passed down through generations. Beneath the surface, Roman foundations and medieval passages run underground and can be visited on guided tours, revealing a hidden layer of the city history.