Who was Saint Nicholas? A saint who inspired the figure we all know as Santa Claus. In the impressive church in Bari lie the relics of this gift-giving saint. The basilica was built in the 12th century specifically to house his remains, which were taken from the city of Myra in Turkey by sailors and brought to the capital of the Apulia region in 1087.

Its exterior resembles more of a fortress than a church, and indeed, the structure has occasionally served as a stronghold throughout history.

Inside, the space is divided into a nave and aisles, separated by granite columns. The basilica houses one of the most significant Romanesque sculptures in southern Italy: a bishop’s throne (cathedra) completed at the end of the 11th century. In the crypt, decorated in Byzantine and Romanesque styles, lie the relics of Saint Nicholas.