Visit to Bari (Italy) among traditions and sacredness (Part Three)

^{The Basilica of Saint Nicholas}

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Last post I told you about the imposing Basilica of Saint Nicholas and how its exteriors fully reflect the architectural styles of the time: the Apulia's Romanesque architecture.

^{The Basilica of Saint Nicholas}

But the simple exterior hides some surprises with its very interesting interior.

And that's what I will speak in this post.

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^{The main aisle}

Once they enter the Basilica, all tourists and faithful have to do is look up to enjoy the wooden ceiling of the church: it is rich of frescos and pictures and it is really quite impossible not to remain enchanted to admire so much artistic shine.

^{The wooden ceiling}

^{The wooden ceiling}

The church has a cruciform groundplan and is divided longitudinally into three naves by columns and pillars in the form of the so-called Latin Tau Cross.

^{The interior transverse arches}

^{The interior transverse arches}

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The Basilica’s Chapel of the Relics is on the right side when entering the church; it houses the relics of various Saints as well as a collection of chalices lamps, liturgical instruments and vestments, crosses and icons.

^{The Basilica’s Chapel of the Relics}

^{The Basilica’s Chapel of the Relics}

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The end of the main aisle features an imposing altar which is surmounted by what is thought to be the oldest ciborium in Apulia, dating back to 1150 AD.

^{The main aisle with the high altar}

^{The high altar of the Basilica}

^{The high altar of the Basilica}

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^{The wooden pulpit}

In a raised position above the floor on the pillars of the right nave, a beautiful wooden pulpit is located. It was painted in 1655 and amongst diverse valuable paintings, it contains depictions of the Immaculate Conception, St. Anthony, St. Christopher and St. Nicholas.

^{The wooden pulpit}

^{The wooden pulpit}

^{The wooden pulpit}

^{The wooden pulpit}

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In the apse to the right of the main Altar, you can admire frescos painting of 14th century.

^{Frescos painting in the right apse}

In the right transept there is the Silver Altar dating back to 1319; it was donated to the Basilica by the Czar of Serbia in order to cover Saint Nicholas grave in the crypt.

^{The Silver Altar}

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In the left aisle it is placed a large statue of Saint Nicholas which is also used by the faithful as offertory; it's also a place in which prayers are addressed to the Saint.

^{The statue of Saint Nicholas}

It is a church worth visiting, because there are so many artwork to discover..

^{Artwork on the wall of the left nave}

Two marble staircases in the lateral naves lead down to the crypt, but I'll tell you about that on the next post!

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All photos taken by me.
Some photos contain some Lightroom post processing.
All rights reserved.

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