Bisceglie, Coastal commune in Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani, Italy.
Bisceglie is a coastal commune in the Province of Barletta-Andria-Trani in Apulia, stretching between the Adriatic Sea and flat fields inland. The historic center preserves narrow stone lanes, small squares, and old houses with balconies that descend toward the shoreline.
Norman rulers established fortifications in the 11th century and built the watchtower Torre Maestra to guard against raids from the sea. Later the town became part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and grew into a fishing port with trade along the Adriatic coast.
The stone Cathedral of San Pietro from the 12th century rises in the heart of the old town, showing Romanesque arches above the doorway. Fishermen still sell their catch directly at the small harbor, where boats rock between the quay walls.
The center can be explored on foot, and comfortable shoes make sense because of the uneven paving. The Wednesday market offers a good chance to get familiar with food and products from the region.
About 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) outside stands the Dolmen della Chianca, a megalithic tomb from the Bronze Age made of huge stone blocks. Archaeologists found remains and pottery inside the chamber pointing to burial rituals from several thousand years ago.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.