Bitonto is a wonderful destination for exploring magnificent historical monuments, charming streets with a unique Italian flair, and natural beauty. The city’s impressive architecture attracts tourists from all over the world.
One of Bitonto’s most distinctive attractions is the Romanesque Cathedral of San Valentino, built in the 11th century and beautifully decorated. The old town proudly displays well-preserved medieval buildings and charming squares. The local boutiques, markets, and shops selling traditional crafts, as well as the numerous shops and restaurants, are worth visiting.
Also worth visiting is Palazzo Sylos Sersale. This elegant 16th-century palace houses a museum that displays a significant collection of archaeological artifacts and works of art. The nearby Parco Grifone offers the opportunity to relax peacefully in a green space away from the city center. From the town’s vantage point, you’ll see magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. You will be delighted with this Italian rural atmosphere.
Location
Bitonto is a town and comune in the province of Bari, in Apulia. Which is in the south eastern Italy.
Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption
Located in the heart of Bitonto, the Cathedral of Our Lady is a prime example of Romanesque architecture, characterized by an impressive façade adorned with intricate carvings and a beautifully crafted rose window. Visitors to the cathedral can admire the meticulously preserved works of art that adorn its walls, including exquisite altarpieces and sculptures. The cathedral also houses a museum where artifacts and relics offer insight into Bitonto’s ecclesiastical history.
Torrione Angioino (The Angevin Tower)
The Torrione Angioino in Bitonto dates back to the second half of the 13th century. The structure remained completely abandoned for over half a century. Renovations have given it a new lease of life, and it now serves as a museum dedicated to the tower’s history, housed within its rooms, as well as a temporary section for thematic exhibitions.
Church of San Gaetano
The Church of San Gaetano was built in 1609 in Bitonto and is Baroque in style. The exterior façade is carved and preceded by a wide staircase, divided into two levels and surmounted by a large tympanum. The interior is defined by four arcades on each side, each housing a chapel. Of particular note is the first chapel on the right, formerly under the patronage of the Sylos-Sersale family. It houses a richly decorated Baroque altarpiece made of stone from Lecce in 1696. At the center of this valuable altarpiece is a canvas depicting the Birth of the Virgin Mary.
Porta Baresana
One of the five gates of the fortified historic center of Bitonto, the Baresana gate gate dates back to the 16th century. statue of the Immaculate Conception is located on the space of the twentieth century clock.
Parco Naturale Regionale della Lama Balice (Lama Balice Regional Natural Park)
The Balice Lama stretches over 504 hectares (primarily between Bitonto and Bari) and is 37 kilometers long. A popular bird sanctuary, the Lama encompasses cultivated and other areas that have preserved their original Mediterranean vegetation, consisting of common oaks, holm oaks, ash trees, and shrubs.Some sections of the Lama are low and winding, while others are steep and characterized by significant rock stratification.
Galleria nazionale della Puglia (National Gallery of Puglia)
The National Gallery of Apulia is housed in the elegant Palazzo Sylos-Calò, dating from the 16th century. The gallery displays 229 paintings and 108 drawings from the 16th to the early 20th century and comprises six chronological sections of Italian and European masterpieces.
The collection includes works by Titian, Veronese, Gentileschi, Delacroix, and De Nittis, with a particular emphasis on Neapolitan and Apulian painters. The museum comprises six chronological sections of Italian and European masterpieces. The gallery welcomes visitors Monday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, except Wednesdays, and is wheelchair accessible.
Teatro Tommaso Traetta
The Teatro Tommaso Traetta (named after the Italian composer Tommaso Traetta) is an important cultural venue in Bitonto. It hosts a variety of events, including operas, concerts, and plays featuring local and international artists. Its stunning architecture and artistic program make it a must-see. Located in the heart of Bitonto, it provides easy access to other cultural and historical sites.
Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian
The Church of Saints Cosmas and Damian in Bitonto is dedicated to the patron saints of medicine. The church houses statues and relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian, venerated in Bitonto since the 16th century. The church also contains a nine-aisled crypt decorated with icons and a 14th-century bas-relief. Additionally, the church houses a large pipe organ built in 1971. The basilica is an important site for pilgrims and tourists interested in religious history and architecture.
