Weekend in Barletta

A 5-metre bronze statue from the 5th century AD, possibly a Roman emperor, standing near the Basilica. It's cracked and weathered but impressive.

Tip: Go early morning when the square is empty—you'll get the whole thing to yourself. No plaque explains it, so read up online before.

A deconsecrated 17th-century church now used as a cultural space, with original Baroque stucco work and a small permanent exhibition on local traditions. Often hosts free art shows

Tip: Check the notice board outside for current exhibitions—they change monthly. The acoustics make it worth lingering if someone's playing piano.

A giant bronze statue of a Roman emperor (possibly Marcian or Valentinian I) standing 5 metres tall. It survived the 1527 sack of the city and now stands outside the basilica.

Tip: Look closely at the back of the statue — it was reassembled from fragments of different statues, so the metal patches and mismatched leg are visible. Best seen just before sunset for photos.

A Romanesque cathedral with a striking rose window and a crypt. The interior is simple but houses a relic said to be from the Holy Sepulchre.

Tip: Ask the caretaker to turn on the crypt lights—they're usually off. Donation requested but not required.

One of the city's oldest churches, built by the Knights Templar, known for its plain stone facade and the statue of the 'Colossus' just outside.

Tip: Look for the Crusader-era graffiti on the interior columns near the altar. Pair this with a walk through Piazza del Duomo next door.

A 5-metre bronze statue of a Roman emperor (probably Valentinian I) from the 5th century, standing outside the basilica of Santo Sepolcro.

Tip: Go at sunset — the light hitting the bronze is dramatic, and locals often gather here with their dogs.

A Romanesque-Byzantine church from the 12th century, built by the Knights Templar. Inside, the crypt houses a 14th-century wooden crucifix and fragments of medieval frescoes.

Tip: Look for the tiny side chapel with a collection of ex-votos from sailors — it tells a more honest history of the town than any museum.

A Romanesque cathedral dating to the 12th century, with a spare stone interior and a crypt housing relics. The adjacent square has the Colossus statue.

Tip: Go early morning to avoid crowds—the crypt opens at 8am and is often empty then.

A Romanesque-Gothic church dating from the 12th century, built on earlier Christian and Jewish sites. The interior holds a bronze statue of an emperor and a relic of the Holy Sepul

Tip: Visit in the late afternoon when the sun hits the rose window on the façade — the light inside is striking. The crypt is usually open and quiet.

A Romanesque cathedral built on a pre-existing Christian basilica, with a striking rose window and a crypt holding relics. The unfinished bell tower gives it a raw, medieval feel.

Tip: Go in the late afternoon when the sun hits the rose window. The crypt opens only for mass times, so check the schedule at the door.