Basilica of Saint Nicholas - Bari

The basilica was built between 1087 and 1197, during the Italo-Norman domination of Apulia. Its foundation is related to the stealing of some of the relics of St. Nicholas from the saint’s original shrine in Myra. When Myra passed under Saracen Domination, some devotees decided to move the saint's relics to a more hospitable location. According to the justifying legend, the saint, passing by the city on his way to Rome, had chosen Bari as his burial place. There was great competition for the relics between Venice and Bari. The latter won, the relics were carried off under the noses of the lawful Greek custodians and their Muslim masters, and on May 9, 1087, were safely landed at Bari. A new church was built to shelter Nicholas' remains and Pope Urban II was present at the consecration of the crypt in 1089.