Basilica of Saint Nicholas

The Basilica of Saint Nicholas, known locally as Basilica di San Nicola, is a magnificent edifice nestled in the heart of Bari's old town. This basilica is not only a significant place of worship for the Catholic Church but also a crucial site for ecumenism among Christian churches. As one of the most prominent examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture, the Basilica of Saint Nicholas stands as a testament to the rich historical and cultural heritage of this region.

The History of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas

Construction of the Basilica of Saint Nicholas began in 1087, following the donation of land by Roger Borsa to Bishop Ursone. The basilica was built in three probable successive phases and was completed in 1197. The construction of the basilica is intrinsically linked to the relics of Saint Nicholas, which were brought to Bari by sixty-two sailors from the city of Myra in Lycia. These relics arrived in Bari on May 9, 1087, and were initially housed in the monastery of San Benedetto under Abbot Elia. Recognizing the need for a larger church to accommodate the relics, Elia initiated the construction of the basilica on the site of the former Byzantine governor's palace, which had been destroyed during a rebellion for communal liberties. The relics were transferred to the crypt of the basilica on October 1, 1089, in a ceremony led by Pope Urban II.

The basilica's construction was completed in 1197, as evidenced by a parchment from that year mentioning the basilica as already built. The consecration plaque from 1197, interpreted by some as marking the completion of the construction, was a devotional act by Emperor Henry VI, who sought the blessing of Saint Nicholas before departing for the Crusades. The basilica remained a palatine church until the Lateran Treaty of 1929, at which point it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Holy See. In 1968, Pope Paul VI elevated the church to the dignity of a pontifical basilica, recognizing its contribution to the ecumenical movement.

Exploring the Basilica of Saint Nicholas

The Basilica of Saint Nicholas is a prime example of Apulian Romanesque architecture, standing proudly near the sea. Its simple yet majestic facade is divided into three sections by pilasters, crowned by arches, and features three portals, with the central one being richly sculpted. The facade is flanked by two truncated bell towers of different designs. The sides of the basilica are characterized by deep blind arches, above which run loggias with six-light windows and ornate doors. The high ends of the transept and the continuous apsidal wall are animated by blind arches at the bottom and biforas at the top, with the central wall adorned by a large window.

Inside, the basilica follows a Latin cross plan, appearing longitudinal but not actually so. It is divided into three naves by twelve spolia columns (six on each side, with the first four paired). The rhythm of the central nave, covered by trusses, is marked by three transverse arches added in the 15th century following an earthquake that made the entire structure unsafe. The first two arches rest on the first four pairs of columns, while the last arch is supported by two massive composite pillars located almost halfway down the nave.

Above the arches is the matroneum with triforas. The ceiling is intricately carved and gilded, featuring painted panels from the 17th century. Three solemn arches on graceful columns separate the central nave from the presbytery. The main altar is surmounted by a 12th-century ciborium. The central apse boasts a marble floor with oriental motifs from the early 12th century, alongside the vigorous marble episcopal chair from 1105 and the monument of Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland, crafted by late 16th-century sculptors.

The Ciborium and the Abbot Elia's Chair

The ciborium above the altar, created before 1150, is the oldest in Apulia. Four ancient marble columns, the front ones in red breccia and the rear ones in purple breccia, support the canopy, which consists of two superimposed octagonal pyramidal structures, held up by two sets of columns with intricate capitals. The design echoes a Roman motif, explicitly referencing classicism. The splendid capitals, dating from the third decade of the 12th century, feature figures of angels on the front and animal and vegetal motifs on the back.

One of the major sculptural masterpieces of Apulian Romanesque art is the episcopal chair of Abbot Elia, located behind the ciborium at the center of the presbytery and its mosaic. The chair, characterized by its elaborate ornamentation, was created between 1098 and 1105, according to an inscription on the back. If this dating is accurate, the chair would be one of the earliest works of Apulian Romanesque art. However, it is more likely from the first half of the 12th century, given the vitality and maturity of the reliefs.

The Crypt

Two staircases at the end of the side aisles lead to the triapsidal crypt, which is as vast as the transept and supported by 26 varied columns adorned with Romanesque capitals. Beneath the central altar of the crypt rests the body of Saint Nicholas. One of the lateral apses is dedicated to Orthodox worship. The crypt features 36 bays with corresponding cross vaults. The area around the altar, where the saint's relics are kept, is covered with a richly varied mosaic floor. Near the right entrance is the miraculous column or the column in the iron grating.

The Basilica of Saint Nicholas is not just a historic monument; it is a vibrant symbol of Bari's spiritual and cultural heritage. Its walls and spaces echo the stories of centuries past, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting this beautiful city.