Basilica San Nicola, Bari

Many people say there is nothing to do in Bari. But they are misinformed. This church was built around 1100 and is the second oldest church in Bari For more than 900 years, his bones have lain in a crypt in the Italian city of Bari. But now, after an historic agreement between the Catholic Pope and the Orthodox Patriarch, one of St Nicholas' ribs is on loan to Russia. There is a large statue of San Nicola outside the church. San Nicola is highly revered in Russia. This statue was made at the direction of Vladimir Putin and given to the church in 2002. There are inscriptions of what the statue is in italian and Russian. When Russia invaded the Ukraine last year the mayor of Bari had the plaque of Vladimir Putin removed from the base of the statue. His bones are in a tomb that is quite impressive. Nicola was born and died in turkey but was of Greek descent.

The absolutely beautiful basilica with amazing energy and architecture. I ve been there 3 days out if 3 in Bari! They have service at 6 pm in a basement, if you want to join.