Bari, the principal city of the region of Puglia, can truly be considered one of the 'capitals' of the south of Italy.
Its metropolitan area has a population of over 1,300,000 inhabitants, making this Apulian city the sixth most populous in Italy.
The most important architectural work of the city, a true masterpiece of the Romanesque style, is dedicated to St. Nicholas, the celebrated patron saint of Bari. This is the Basilica, which houses the venerable relics of the Saint.
The history of the capital of Puglia is extraordinarily rich. In fact, the city enjoys a remarkable architectural and cultural heritage, stemming from its glorious past. Since the start of the new millennium, this important artistic heritage has been rediscovered and is going through a continuous phase of restoration and enhancement; allowing Bari to return to its position as a favoured destination for Italian and international tourists.
Thanks to a strong entrepreneurial tradition, Bari has for centuries been the nerve centre of political, commercial and cultural exchanges with the Middle East. This, of course, is favoured by its strategic geographical location on the Adriatic and its major port, which handles over one million passengers and 5,000 tonnes of goods a year. Bari has always had a clear dedication to trade, an attitude which has allowed it to establish itself as an important centre of commerce. It was merchants who founded the city, laying the basis for the prosperity that distinguishes it today. Suffice it to say that the construction of some of the most important historic buildings in the city centre is due to this prosperity. Agriculture is well developed, but it is industry that plays the major role in the city's economy, having developed in numerous areas including the chemical, mechanical and food sectors.
The buoyancy of the local economy, however, is due above all to one of the areas which is most indicative of the economic health of any city: the real estate market. Suffice it to say that the Revenue Agency has, over the past year, recorded 3,169 real estate transactions in the municipality of Bari alone; an indicator of the great vitality of the entire sector. Of particular importance in the city's real estate market is the luxury segment, thanks to the marvellous buildings which adorn the historic centre and the seafront.
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