Barletta: art, history and beaches nearby

Barletta reveals its character through an imposing castle, art collections and religious sites; beach destinations are also nearby. For you, this is a city where history, painting, faith and a stay by the water can be combined according to different interests.

Art and history in the city

The Castello Svevo is an imposing castle built by the Hohenstaufens, located in the historic centre of Barletta. Since 2003, it has housed the Museo Civico, which contains archaeological finds and paintings by artists from Barletta.

The Pinacoteca “Giuseppe De Nittis” is located on the second floor of the Baroque Palazzo Marra. The De Nittis collection comprises 146 paintings and 65 drawings, as well as books and a correspondence. This gives art in Barletta its own clearly defined focus alongside the archaeological finds of the Museo Civico.

The Colosso di Barletta is a 4.50-metre-high bronze statue depicting late antique Roman and Byzantine imperial attire. Since the High Middle Ages, it has stood at its present location within the urban fabric of Barletta.

Religious sites and local history

The Basilica del Santo Sepolcro preserves a fragment of Christ’s cross, which is venerated by the faithful. Its Gothic style and close connection with the Holy Land give Barletta’s religious heritage a distinct character.

Local memory is also firmly rooted in a specific place. The Osteria “di Veleno”, better known as the “Cantina della Disfida”, is located in the historic centre of Barletta. According to tradition, the Frenchman La Motte insulted the honour of the Italian soldiers there.

Museums, beaches and gardens nearby

The Tesoro del Duomo di Santa Maria Maggiore Museum and the Barletta - Città della Disfida Museum are also located in the immediate vicinity of Barletta.

For a stay that combines culture with the beach, Massawa Beach is in the immediate vicinity of Barletta, while Spiaggia Verde is located in the surrounding area.

The Orto Botanico di Barletta and the Giardini De Nittis are located in the immediate vicinity of Barletta and are classified as gardens. This adds further destinations with a strong garden focus to the museums, buildings and religious sites.

Getting there and choosing your accommodation

Barletta railway station offers assistance for travellers with disabilities or reduced mobility. If you require this assistance, you can take it into account when planning your arrival. When choosing a hotel in Barletta, you can organise your priorities accordingly: art and urban history, religious sites, the Colosso, or the beaches and gardens in the surrounding area. Those primarily seeking collections and architectural history will therefore have different priorities from travellers who want to combine a religious connection, the monumental figure, or a visit to a beach and garden.

Further destinations

For your further travel planning: Trani, Canosa Di Puglia, San Ferdinando Di Puglia, Margherita Di Savoia

For the higher-level travel overview: Barletta-Andria-Trani.