Chief town of the region Apulia (South East of Italy), Bari has very old origins as the archeological relics dating back to Bronze Age witness. Bari was dominated by many peoples: under the Romans it became the most important commercial port of the region.
On 9th May 1087 an important event took place: the relics of Saint Nicholas were brought to Bari from Mira, in Turkey by 62 sailors and that same year, the building of the famous Basilica dedicated to the Saint was started. In 1194 the Swabians with their brilliant ruler, Fredrick II, gave a new and unique impulse for arts and culture. Under the Angevin domination the town slowly declined but it was regenerated under the Aragonese. In 1808, under the French domination, Bari became the chief town of Apulia, replacing the town of Trani. 25th April 1813: this is an unforgettable date, when King Gioacchino Murat laid the foundation stone for the building of the new town beyond the wall of the old town. Important buildings were then built: the Church of San Ferdinando, the “Teatro Piccinni” with the Town Hall, the railway station, the Chamber of Commerce, the Bank of Italy, and the “Teatro Margherita”. In 1903 the world famous “Teatro Petruzzelli” was opened but unluckily it was set on fire in 1991. The theatre is currently awaiting for its reopening after many years of reconstruction. In 1930 the first “Fiera del Levante” (East Fair-International fair of all kinds of goods and services) was inaugurated: it soon became one of the most important trade fairs in Italy and increased the exchanges with the Middle East countries.
Today Bari is the most important city of Apulia on the Adriatic Sea, facing Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Greece. Bari is one of the most economically active cities in Italy with about 372,000 inhabitants offering everything a big city can.
Bari has two harbours, the Old Port and the New Port.
The Old Port, near the ancient wall and the old town, is used only for pleasure crafts and fishing boats; the old teatro Margherita and the small Barion peninsula are located on the waters of the Old Port.
The New Port was built in 1850, it can accommodate any type of vessels, including passengers ships and great cargo ships up to 60,000 GT.
Bari, with its incredible variety of cultures, art and tradition is ready to welcome the 50th International Session of the European Youth Parliament.