The east gate
Trani lies on a natural creek which has now become its port but that was once the bed of an ancient river.
The city’s history has always been directly linked to the port and therefore the sea.
maritime center of great importance, in 1063 exudes the “Ordinamentas Maris” to regulate relations between the people of the sea. These codes describe: the procedures to be followed in the event of discovery, at sea, of things and establish the rights and obligations of the sailors recognizing, so, the figure of the sailor who until then was compared to that of the slave.
The constitution of these statutes are an example of the degree of civilization and the cultural level that the city had reached in the Middle Ages.
This record was preserved for years to come, in fact Trani was the seat of the first tribunal established by Frederick II, in addition, in 1600 the city founded the Accademia dei Pellegrini, an association of scholars who favored enormously the cultural development to this point that arose in Trani Puglia one of the first printing presses and a century later in 1722 was born one of the first permanent theaters in the region.
Francesco De Sanctis called the city “Athens of Puglia”.
The centerpiece of the city is the medieval village grew up in the marina crown.
The heart of the medieval village is the magnificent Cathedral, situated in such a way as to be barely lapped by the sea and in front of this, the Castello Svevo. The two artifacts seem to be bulwarks that face to protect the city.
Cathedral Square is surrounded by numerous newly palaces in different periods, among them we recall the Archbishop’s Palace, Palace Ladispoto, Torres is now the Palace of Justice Palace, Palace Candido now the seat of the municipal offices, the Seminary Palace which houses the Museum Diocesan.
From the Duomo square, a maze of alleys penetrates into the inner part of the historical center where you can grasp in architectural relics, historical periods that have ruled as occurs for example along the Jewish ghetto, inhabited by a powerful immigrant communities that testifies as the link between the Jews and the city of Trani is very old. The Jewish community had four synagogues of which are preserved today only two, the smallest of these is the oldest functioning synagogue in Europe.
By way of All Saints is the Church of All Saints, commissioned by the Order of the Knights Templar, this small but very fascinating because dotted with mysterious alchemical and astrological symbols. The entrance is marked by a porch and a finely carved entrance. Internally there is a painting showing the Madonna with child madonnaro Rico de Candia. In this church they are sworn the Knights of Malta about to leave for the East.
Following the road which leads into Piazza San Marco seat where the Church of Santa Teresa and the Palace Caccetta whose facade is adorned by late gothic decorations and a triple lancet window placed above the entrance portal.
A few minutes away in Piazza Holy Royal Audience it is Valenzano Palace that now houses the state notarial archives.
Via Romito you can admire the Church of St. James the first half of the twelfth century.
The church is an important example of Apulian Romanesque architecture. Of particular interest is the sculptural set of the prospectus with three rows of shelves zoomorphic and anthropomorphic representing the twelve months of the year. Probably this church welcomed the first tomb of San Nicola Pellegrini. Inside the church they are exposed the statues of the procession of the Mysteries of Good Friday.
In the oldest area of the historical center is the church of St. Martin, built between the sixth and seventh centuries, has the peculiarity that access must fall below the road level. Over time the church has been altered to the point that, even having been used as a workplace, is located inside a large oven well preserved as well preserved are the two underground tombs left exposed.
The Church of San’Andrea, in via Mario Pagano, dates back to the eleventh century and is one of the oldest churches with a dome cover in Puglia. Back when it was built it was out of town along the road leading to Bisceglie and stood near a small stream that flowed where he later developed the port.
The artifact is a very interesting example of a Greek cross architecture. The dome is covered externally by thin slabs of stone in local parlance are called “chiancarelle” while internally rests on four pillars; from an engraving it shows that one of these was a milestone along the Trajan. Inside the church accepts the testimony of a Eucharistic miracle that took place around the year 1000, are the remains of a consecrated host that fried in the act of sacrilege, he caused a copious bleeding.
The Trani tour should include a visit to the beautiful public garden that insists, in part, on the ancient walls of the city. The villa is a sea garden from which to enjoy a wonderful view including the Cathedral, the inlet of the harbor with the city’s waterfront and the Monastery Column. Among the garden paths are kept six milestones of the Via Traiana, a cannon of the last war and a sounding board for small outdoor concerts. Inside the villa there is also the Fort St. Anthony, for a time at the entrance to the harbor defense and that encompasses the namesake of the twelfth-century church.
Just outside the historic center stands the Colonna Monastery complex, completed in the early twelfth century. The small church is open for worship while most of the monastery host various cultural events; the visit of the complex should include a stop on the terrace where you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
The city of Trani continues to maintain today, the lively cultural center character through the major events it hosts.
In addition, the harbor area is full of restaurants, pubs, and bakeries that make the waterfront a great meeting place where you can admire, at sunset, the sea, the cathedral lit and taste the famous Muscat.
In collaboration with the editors of Itinerapuglia.com