IL SOLETrani's history
Situated in a geographical strategic position, Trani has always been a cultural and economic center of Apulia: and it is for such prestige that Trani has been called "THE APULIA’S PEARL". For the inhabitants of the nearby resorts, not only because the tourist seaside resort and of course the worldly life, but also some features that make it important for the culture, art and history. Moreover some of its characteristics make Trani important also for culture, art and history. The legend tells that Trani would have been founded by “Turenum” the legendary son of the Homeric hero Diomede.Trani is distant from Bari, chief town of province in Apulia, only 42 km. Extended over a surface of 102 km2 with a population of approximately (60.000) Inhabitants, it rises 7 m above sea-level on the Adriatic shoreline in correspondence of a small bay that constitutes a well repaired port. Quarry a well appreciated building stone, known precisely as 'Trani stone' is the main economic activity of the city , in addition to the wine cultivation for D.O.C ( Protected Designation of Origins) products, including the famous Muscat, the production in the agricultural and alimentary sector and the Extra- Virgin Olive Oil.
The Historical Center
The ancient center of Trani, with numerous monographs written on it’s Architectonic, Cultural and Historical character, since ancient times has attracted numerous important personages , such as : Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto di Savoia, the Kaiser and recently the Royal of Sweden, of England, of Belgium and the Prince Filiberto di Savoia.
The Historical Center, well formed in its quarters has been made precious by artisticbuildings belonging to every age and every style, bestowed with tightened and winding roads according to typical medieval urban planning, wisely restored under the supervision of the Cultural Assets, so that it has become a wonderful center of modern life characterized by multiple premises and typical bars visited usually by tourists andlocal people.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral is the Apulia Romanesque art jewel, still more fascinating thanks to its position in proximity of the port thus making it possible to be admired from whichever part of the shoreline. The Upper Church with a fortifying system rests on 2 crypts, the first one built in order to preserve the relics of S.Nicola the Pilgrim the other dedicated to S. Maria della Scala. Underneath the latter crypt is situated the Hypogeum of the first patron of the city S. Leucio.
Swebian Castle
Founded by Federico II in the 13thcentury is unique among other castles of the emperor for its unusual position since directly facing to the sea. After being used for decades as prison, today restored and reopened to public it becomes museum and often artistic and cultural place for conventions and manifestations.
The Jewish Quarter
The jewish Quarter, a witness of an important Jewish presence in the city, is among the largest of the middle Ages with 2 Synagogues dating back the 13thcentury called today “S. Maria di Scola Nova” and S. Anna..
The Villa
And, at the end of this trip of ours cannot be absolutely
missed the wonderful scenery offered to us by the
"Communal Villa ", the fantastic viIla situated at the
peak above the sea.. Its richness of trees of every
kind and varieties of bloomed plants hides an extremely
peaceful and serene atmosphere. It is one of few places
able to rest you when the torrid summer does not
allow any repose. It is a pleasant place attended by
adults and kids and further on thanks to its positioning
is possible to admire on the right the monastery
of Colonna and on the left the port with "
the Queen of apulian Cathedrals”. Among other
monuments that characterize our city, we can
mention some churches witnesses of the centuries
of history that have preceded us: Diocesan museum, Church of S. Giacomo, S. Maria di Colonna, S.Francesco, S.Andrea, S. Giovanni and S. Luigi the last one returned to its ancient splendour after a long restoration.