The church that first housed the remains of St. Nicholas in 1087: discover the crypt of St. Michael
Among the authentic alleys of characteristic old Bari , a stone's throw from Piazza del Ferrarese , stands a church whose anecdote few know, even many Bari residents themselves, but which holds an extraordinary and evocative history: the church of San Michele Arcangelo .
Upon entering, one detail immediately strikes you: a small spiral staircase leading to the basement , where a crypt holds a fundamental chapter in the cult of St. Nicholas and the spiritual history of Bari .
It was here that, in 1087 , sailors from Bari who stole the relics of Saint Nicholas of Myra handed the bones over to Abbot Elias. This historic event forever marked the city and transformed Bari into one of the spiritual capitals of Europe.
The crypt of the relics of St. Nicholas
Walking a few meters through the silence of the crypt of the Church of San Michele Arcangelo , you find yourself before the altar that first held the remains of the Saint. On the upper level, you can still admire the symbols that tell his story: the tiara, the pastoral staff, the three spheres, and the purse, icons linked to the popular tradition of Saint Nicholas .
This small crypt was the heart of devotion, but it was insufficient to accommodate the faithful who, from all over Europe, came to venerate the Saint.
A recent discovery: the second crypt
The church of San Michele never ceases to amaze.
During restoration work in the 1990s, a , much larger crypt pilgrims , too numerous for the small original crypt, gathered in prayer. Documents from the period even testify to miraculous healings attributed to the arrival of the relics in Bari , a sign of the great influx and devotion that concentrated in this place.
An unmissable stop in the city of San Nicola
Today, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo in Bari Vecchia is a symbolic site of the cult of St. Nicholas and an unmissable stop for those who wish to learn about Bari . Visiting it not only allows you to experience a piece of ancient history, but also discover a hidden and fascinating side of the old city, far from the most popular tourist routes. If you're vacationing in Bari, don't limit yourself to the Basilica of San Nicola (an absolute must-see when you arrive in Bari) , but also let yourself be surprised by the charm of the small Church of San Michele and its hidden treasure underground.
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