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St. Anthony Wharf

Molo Sant'Antonio - 6010 - 70123
Current use Wharf
St. Anthony Wharf harks back to the old port of Bari. Resembling a long arm ending with a lighthouse, it protects the length of Bari seafront which stretches from the Fort of the same name to the more recent St. Nicholas Wharf. This section of sea within the two piers was, until the middle of the 19th century, the only protected anchoring area. In 1855, at the behest of Ferdinand II of Bourbon (and due in no small part to the substantial contribution and energy of the city's merchant class), the new port, built to the north of the city's populated area, was inaugurated.
Remains of the old port can be seen in the mooring columns situated in the garden area which runs alongside the old wall by the Imperatore Augusto part of the seafront. Among these there are columns from the ruins of public buildings and the well-known Trajan column which bears the Roman numeral CXXVIII, showing that it is located 128 miles from Benevento.
Strolling along the St. Anthony Wharf, one can enjoy the unique views afforded by the panorama of Bari's marvellous seafront. In addition to the Pier, a short distance away lay the island of Monte Rosso. Historical sources reveal that this was a small strip of land equipped with a small pier and mooring posts. According to legend, over time the island slipped under the waves and the remains of a chapel built there were moved to a church under the Sant’Antonio fort.
Facing south, one can admire the Margherita Theatre; further beyond the St. Nicholas Wharf, the Palazzo della Provincia building can be seen, along with a number of other buildings which bear witness to the reconstruction of the seafront during the first decades of the twentieth century.
It is now a firm tradition that any popular celebration, in particular the Festival of San Nicola on the 8th and 9th of May, sees the use of the Pier as a launching pad for firework displays which light up the sea all around. The statue of the saint arrives on a boat from the sea and is taken to an altar set up in Ferrarese Square, where it remains until the following morning. Here, pilgrims from near and far come to pay their respects and pray for miracles. These pilgrims are devotees who traditionally visit our city for the occasion and are commonly referred to as ‘ziazì’, (aunt and uncle), demonstrating the power of the saint in uniting locals and pilgrims into a single community of worshippers.


How do I reach downtown?
airport Airport  

From Viale Enzo Ferrari, continue in the direction of Strada Provinciale 204 / Viale Gabriele d'Annunzio / SP204.
Take Viale Europa, SS16, Via Napoli and Corso Vittorio Veneto in the direction of Piazza Mercantile in Bari.
Continue along Lungomare Augusto Imperatore. Piazza Ferrarese is on the right.
Walk towards Piazza Mercantile

motorway Toll road  

From the toll booth at Bari Sud of the Autostrada A14,
Take E843, Viale Giuseppe Tatarella, the underpass Sottopassaggio Giuseppe Filippo, Via Brigata Regina
Continue along Lungomare Augusto Imperatore in the direction of Piazza Mercantile in Bari.
Piazza Ferrarese is on the right.
Walk towards Piazza Mercantile

other Public Transport  

AMTAB bus lines #2, #4, #10, #12, #12/, #21, and #35 stop near Piazza Ferrarese (continue on foot to Piazza Mercantile)

park Parking lots  

Lungomare Imperatore Augusto-Corso Vittorio Emanuele