In case you were wondering, no, I am not necessarily posting any of these Italy stops in the order of when they happened on our tour. Just in the order of my momentary whim, to be honest.
So, today it's Bari, which we visited on Day 12 (of 19), a Friday.
The previous 3 days we were on the west coast, in Montecassino, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast.
On Day 12 we drove across the ankle of Italy 177 miles, west to east, to Bari.
That's the Mediterranean Sea on the left and the Adriatic Sea on the right.
This was one of the first photos I took, from the bus, as we entered Bari along the coast.
Once off the bus,
how can you resist views like this on the Adriatic Sea!
how can you resist views like this on the Adriatic Sea!
However, we were there on a mission with our tour guide, not to see the Adriatic Sea,
but to see what the city is known for: the St. Nicholas Church.
but to see what the city is known for: the St. Nicholas Church.
Of course, the journey along the way is as important as the destination, if not more so, right?!
Don't you love the impressions you get of a place just by looking!
What surprised me most was this little dab of Roman ruins as we passed through the old city.
It's the former site of a Byzantine church from the 9th-10th centuries
Street people...
with an invitation to observe this lady, sitting there with her door wide open!
There were many indications of religious importance in this city.
Perhaps this is one of them, just before turning the corner to see what we had come for...
...the Basilica of St. Nicholas, from 1197.
Do you know why it's so important for the Dutch people to see this?
It's where St. Nicholas, the historical figure of the the Dutch legendary Sinterklaas, is buried.
Yes, you heard me.
Sinterklaas, who arrives in homes all over the Netherlands on 5 December, is buried in Bari.
WHO KNEW THAT?!?!
(Technically, of course, St. Nicholas is buried: Sinterklaas is not!)
(Technically, of course, St. Nicholas is buried: Sinterklaas is not!)
No question at all about who was of utmost importance here.
We were ready to enter the church....
The nave.
The altar.
The organ and pulpit.
And then the crypt.
One of the tombs.
And then where St. Nicholas himself is buried behind the fenced barrier.
This basilica "holds wide religious significance throughout Europe and the Christian world...
an important pilgrimage destination both for Roman Catholics
and Orthodox Christians from Eastern Europe."
In the outer courtyard is the statue bearing witness to his fame.
St.Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, repentant thieves,
brewers, pawnbrokers, students and children across Europe.
Sinterklaas is the patron saint of children.
They really are connected at the hip.
brewers, pawnbrokers, students and children across Europe.
Sinterklaas is the patron saint of children.
They really are connected at the hip.
So now you know why this city was on our Dutch tour of Italy!
We were there for only 1.5 hours. but we saw what was most important.
We were there for only 1.5 hours. but we saw what was most important.
Who would have known that about Sint Nicholas. It was worth "the run" through the city and I am still impressed what we saw in such a short amount of time. Bari is such a nice little town with all those hidden treasures. A wonderful memory to keep. IHVJ.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started going over all the pics, Astrid, I got a huge smile on my face because the time we had was so "doable," if you know what I mean. I never once felt overwhelmed! :)
DeleteOMG! I just mentally added another on my bucket list. Somehow the charm of this town speaks to my heart. I think I'm in love with another place I haven't seen. Thanks Ginnie. It must have been your photography. Gonna start saving now!
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
By the time you finish your Bucket List, Maria, you will have traveled all around the world and back! :)
DeleteI enjoy all of your photos, especially those taken at different sides of the same thing. It fills in the perspective of the subject of the photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Marie, for saying this because sometimes I wonder if people just roll their eyes! But I'm like you, wanting to see as many "faces" of a thing as possible!
DeleteI always wondered, since santa claus isn't real, if St. Nicholas ever really existed... and now i know!! i even know where he is buried!! wow... patron saint to the kiddies, that's so sweet xoxoxox thanks for this
ReplyDeleteI do like when we can connect the many dots of a thing, Elaine...especially like Sinterklaas' connection to St. Nick! There are actually more dots but I won't get into them right now. HA!
DeleteWhat a beautiful and charming place! All the details in your photos are precious. I was especially interested to see the dough table where the woman is rolling pasta (?). We bought one of those at a flea market last year in New England!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. That was such an unexpected treat, to have her sitting right at the door as though she wanted everyone to see how the "old way" is still done. I believe the pasta is called conchiglie, which is what we would call "seashell" pasta, if so.
DeleteBari is beautiful. I'd love to visit.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
Maybe you'll have the chance one day, R's Rue. Thanks for stopping by.
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