The Sirens of Bari

The coastal cities on the Adriatic, Bari, Trani, Monopoli, etc. we’re all important during the Crusades as a way point to the Holy Land. Hence the fortifications of thes cities. Trani developed the first maritime code in 1063, the Ordinamenta consueto  maris; the City commemorated the 900th anniversary in 1963 with this basrelief.

It was during our last night in Bari, as we were taking a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, that we heard, once again, the Siren Calls emanating from Maria’s Sgagliozze kitchen. I was lagging behind Virginia, when all of a sudden, I realized that she had figuratively gone aground amidst the treacherous rocks...and literally, the Sgagliozze of Maria. See the results for yourself.

Our first few hours in Monopoli found us exploring the small streets near the main square, the Piazza Vittorio and Piazza Garibaldi. I’m always attracted to the simplicity if Romanesque churches, so we followed the signs to the Chiesa Amalfitana, built around 1060. From the outside, it didn't look Romanesque at all, more like a sixteenth century Renaissance facade. But the interior was definitely Romanesque; I was happy we made the detour.

The Renaissance facade belies the Romanesque origins of the Chiesa Santa Maria Amalfitana 

The interior of Santa Maria Amalfitana, Monopoli...decidedly Romanesque

The original church was carved out of rock in 1059 by people from Amalfi who were shipwrecked. Thankful for those who were saved, they built the church in honor of Maria.

 

Ciao,

David