- TURY.CLUB
- Tourist Objects
- Italy
- Bari
- Basilica of St. Nicholas
The construction of the Basilica of St. Nicholas began in 1087 on the site of the former Katapan palace - the Byzantine governor, governor, head of the Byzantine province in southern Italy. The palace was abandoned after the capture of the province by the Normans in 1071. Since that time, Bari, the thriving, richest city in the South, has been squeezed out of Middle Eastern markets, is losing its former influence in the region, trade is freezing, citizens and the aristocracy are getting poorer. The life of the city changed dramatically in 1087, when the relics of St. Nicholas were transported to Bari, before which they had been resting in the World for about 750 years. The relics of St. Nicholas were stolen by the Bari sailors from the monastery on the instructions of the city nobility. Thus, the city wanted to regain its former influence and make it a religious center, attract pilgrims and revitalize life in the former capital. May 9, 1087 three ships with the relics of St. Nicholas on board returned to the port, where they were already waiting for a joyful crowd of citizens. The relics were transferred to the abbot of the Benedictine monastery. From this day, a new historical page has opened for Bari. Previously, this city was the Byzantine capital of southern Italy, now it becomes the city of St. Nicholas. In 1087, for the worthy placement of the relics of St. Nicholas, the construction of the Basilica began. The place for the Basilica was ideally suited - on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, near the seaport. During the construction of the building, stones and architectural elements of the ancient Katapan palace were used. The architectural style is Romanesque. The majestic facade of the Basilica of St. Nicholas has protruding pilasters that divide it into three zones corresponding to the inner passages. The basilica has three naves with a length of 39 meters, a vaulted transept with a length of 31.5 meters, the naves end with apses. Outside, the apse is covered by straight walls with false arcades. The basilica consists of two churches - the upper and the lower. In the lower crypt temple in 1089, a cancer was installed with the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker. Pilgrims began to arrive in Bari from all over the world. Before setting off on the Crusades, noble crusaders came to bow to the relics of St. Nicholas. Priceless treasures donated by pilgrims and rulers of many countries, including ancient canons, relics of saints, Catholic and Orthodox relics, gifts of Serbian kings, scrolls, manuscripts, ancient icons are stored in the Treasury of the Basilica of St. Nicholas.
41.1303, 16.8701
