{"id":20782,"date":"2022-03-13T12:18:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-13T10:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=20782"},"modified":"2022-03-13T21:32:54","modified_gmt":"2022-03-13T19:32:54","slug":"bitonto","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/italy\/puglia\/bitonto\/","title":{"rendered":"The 7 most important sights in Bitonto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
To the west of Bari, about 11 kilometres away, is Bitonto. From Bari you can take the train to the town and enjoy the flair and sights in Bitonto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Bitonto was probably founded by Greek settlers. Coins dating back to the 6th century BC have been found during investigations, which indicate this. The first city wall dates from the fifth to the fourth century BC. There are still traces of this wall in the foundations of the Norman city wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the course of the town’s history, the Romans made their mark for a time. The place was given the status of a Roman municipium, which was able to retain its former laws and self-government and worshipped its divine patroness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Middle Ages, after having been a fief of several noble families, Bitonto passed to the Acquaviva in the 13th century. In 1552, the citizens bought freedom for the town for 66,000 ducats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bitonto is not very big and the most interesting sights can be explored by walking around the city. We started our tour at the train station and spent about 4 hours in the city. So just the right length for a half-day excursion.<\/p>\n\n\n
The imposing town gate has stood in Bitonto for a very long time. The oldest reports from the year 1348 tell of damage to the gate, which occurred during military conflicts in the dispute over the rule of the town.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later, the gate was rebuilt in the late Renaissance style. The main fa\u00e7ade shows the patron saint of the town (from the Middle Ages to the 18th century) and the coat of arms of the Savoy family on a wooden panel above the arch. In 1834, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the “Battle of Bitonto”, a statue of the patron saint Maria Immacolata was placed on the gate. According to legend, it was she who prevented the destruction of the town by the Spanish commander. Since that time, she has been considered the “new” patron saint of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n