Barletta Location Guide

Not many tourists visit Barletta, despite the fact that there is so much to see and do there. Barletta is best known for the Challenge of Barletta (Disfida di Barletta), an battle that took place in 1503, where a small group of Italian knights defeated the French. Noteworthy buildings include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, a perfect example of the fusion of Gothic and Roman styles, and the 12th century church of San Sepolcro. In front of the church is a bronze statue, over 5m high, of a Byzantine emperor and is the finest example of colossal sculpture in bronze in existence.

The Palazzo Marra, located in the town’s centre, is a stunning 16th century palace and home to the Giuseppe De Nittis art gallery, named after a famous impressionist painter from Barletta. The castle of Barletta is definitely worth a visit. It dates back to the Norman times and during the Crusades was a staging point for knights travelling to and from the Holy Land. Like many castles in this region, it was subject to much restructuring work over the centuries. A few kilometres outside the town is the Canne archeological site, location of the famous battle between the Romans and the Carthaginians, led by Hannibal.

10 Things to See and Do

1. Visit the Hohenstaufen castle
2. Admire the Colossus statue
3. Visit the Cathedral
4. Stop off at the Challenge Tavern
5. Visit the Marra Palace and the De Nitis art gallery
6. Head off to the church of Santo Sepolcro
7. Take a photo of the city’s gate, Porta Marina
8. Visit the Canne della Battaglia archeological site
9. See Castel del Monte
10. Visit Trani

Local Events
Easter
During Easter there are a several important religious processions including the Good Friday procession along the streets of Barletta.
July
On the first Sunday in July, the town celebrates its patron saint, Madonna dello Sterpeto, highly revered by the locals.
September
During the first week in September, the town celebrates the re-enactment of the famous Challenge of Barletta. There is also a procession in medieval costumes.

Local Specialties
Barletta’s economy is mainly based on agriculture. Aside fresh fish, the main local speciality is orecchiette (a type of pasta shaped roughly like small ears known as stascenat), with ragù made from horse meat.
Local wines
Local wines include the DOC red Barletta (also produced in the municipalities of Andria, Trani, San Ferdinando di Puglia and Trintiapoli), and made with the locally grown Troia grapes (a native vine) which are combined with grapes from Montepulciano (not more than 30%), Sangiovese and Malbek (not more than 10%). Its colour is a distinctive red, the flavour, rich and fruity. The minimum alcoholic strength is 12 degrees.

How to get there
By plane: The town is well connected to Bari Palese airport, approximately 56 km away.
By car: Take the A14 motorway and exit at Andria-Barletta.
By train: Barletta FFS railway station is well connected to the Italian railway network