Barletta

Barletta (Apulia - Italy), who along with Trani and Andria is the sixth region of the province, now has 94,140 inhabitants. 
The town overlooks the Adriatic Sea, at the Gulf of Manfredonia, in front of the Gargano Promontory, and falls within the catchment area of the Valley Ofanto watercourse that marks the transition from the plain of the Murgia karst Tavoliere. 
Its name originated from Romania, on Barduli, Baruli Bardulos or even, as documented in Peutingeriana, named after the population of trans-adriatic of the Bardeis’ landed on the coast of Barletta around  the fourth century BC The city's economy is now based mainly on agriculture, with a primary role played by vineries, olive and fruit trees. In the nineteenth century, however, the city began to distinguish itself and to grow in terms of industry and tourism.

What to see

Barletta in Apulia (Italy) is a very rich city in terms of major architecture, so much so that in 2005 it was awarded the recognition of the City of Art by the Apulia Region. 
These include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the four basilicas of the palatine region and center of religious life in the city, built from 1140 and consecrated in 1267. 
Among the religious monuments, noteworthy is also the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre by the baroque facade and the original Romanesque, Gothic-Burgundian processed at the end of the twelfth century. Near the Basilica, stands the imposing Colossus of Barletta, about 4.5 m high bronze statue probably depicting the emperor Theodosius II, also known as Heracles or Arè and dating from the fifth century. Then there is the Church of St. Gaetano, dating from the twelfth century, it treasures a relic of the Holy Thorn, and the Church of St. James, built in the eleventh century, with a beamed ceiling and a rich heritage of paintings, reliquaries, vestments and boards from the period between the thirteenth and the twentieth century.
Among the most valuable examples of civil architecture of maximum prestige there are: Palazzo della Marra, one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Puglia and now houses the Art Gallery "De Nitti", Palazzo Santacroce and De Leo Pandolfelli Palace, dating back to 1418. 
Among the best examples of military architecture of the city, however, we must mention the Castle, whose original building dates from the eleventh century. Of Norman origin, during the era of the Crusades it was a shelter for the riders on their way to the Holy Land, then hosted Frederick II of Swabia, as evidenced by the imperial eagles engraved in the lunettes.
Currently, the structure houses the Museo Civico of the city and, all around, the famous Castle Gardiens , named after the Fratelli Cervi, and focal point of the public life of the city. Finally, in the historic center, is to report the Cantina della Disfida, where according to tradition, the challenge was issued between Hector Fieramosca  and the La Motte, the French Captain.