A deconsecrated chapel, older than the Basilica of San Nicola: it is the church of San Martino in old Bari
There are areas in Bari Vecchia where every stone tells stories and centuries-old events, such as that of the church of San Martino , whose location reflects nothing less than the value of this city's historical heritage.
Among the cobbled streets and charming alleys of this ancient neighborhood of Bari, in fact, stands an old church built between the 9th and 10th centuries AD, therefore even older than the historic and majestic Basilica of San Nicola, presumably built shortly after. The church of San Martino , located in Strada Bianchi Dottula , has undergone various transformations over time which led it to reach its current appearance between 1500 and 1700, as well as to be incorporated into what is now Palazzo Bianchi Dottula , the building which houses this small and charming chapel (now deconsecrated) .
Nonetheless, towards the mid-1900s the church of San Martino was completely abandoned, beginning a long period of oblivion (approximately 60 years), interrupted only by the initiative of APS Martinus , a collective made up of associations and private individuals specialising in historical research, architectural restoration and promotion of the area, which undertook a complex project to study, restore and reuse the building.
Join the chapel restoration with a donation
A small place of worship with a thousand-year history
A journey through this church is a veritable leap back in time, an experience that reveals the profound connection between the present and the past of Bari Vecchia through some still visible fragments of a very ancient history. A meeting point that offers the curious the opportunity to immerse themselves in a place that has withstood the passage of time and the events that have shaped the eras, histories, and events of this city.
The hidden treasures of the church of San Martino
In the early 1970s, during structural consolidation work, a gesture was made that would reveal the hidden past of a place rich in history and charm. A deep crack in the pavement revealed frescoes dating back to the Early Middle Ages, along with the remains of an ancient Byzantine temple.
The walls of the church of San Martino tell timeless stories, as our gaze rests on details that testify to the art and spirituality of those who lived in those places centuries ago.
From the past, some visible fragments of this evocative place of worship still emerge today, with paintings that recall days gone by and even the frescoed tomb of the priest Smaragdus , singing master and rector of the church in the Byzantine period.
Visit the ancient church of San Martino
Monthly events are currently being organized to visit the site of this evocative chapel, with guided tours led by professional guides from PugliArte . However, to stay up-to-date, we recommend visiting the following links:
WEBSITE: https://www.martinusaps.it/
FACEBOOK: martinus.spazioartetempo
Join the church restoration
The Church of San Martino is at the center of a restoration and redevelopment project by the Martinus Association. Through your contribution, Martinus will be able to continue the restoration of one of the most evocative sites in the historical, cultural, and artistic landscape of our splendid city. Support this project to restore to Bari a jewel that has been inaccessible for over 60 years.
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