The road called “Strada Palazzo di Città” (literally, Town Hall Road) used to be called Via Francigena, a major ancient pilgrim route. It was one of the medieval city’s most important main streets connecting the Basilica of St. Nicholas to Piazza Mercantile situated near one of the city gates.
Many buildings facing onto this important road belonged to noble families of Bari that had gained their wealth from commerce and trade. The grandeur of these palace façades is clear evidence of this wealth.
Palazzo Tanzi stands at no. 54. The building is named after the Tanzi family that arrived in Bari in 1500 from northern Italy, precisely from Blevio, in the Province of Como. They came as members of the entourage of Isabel of Aragon (Duchess of Bari, 1501-1524).
Nino Lavermicocca writes that "had the old town preserved the works of the progression of ' lords ' that had succeeded one another in time, today, the old town would be home and witness" of the historical events that took place over the centuries. Examples of these works would have included: remains of Roman Towers (local historians believe the castle had been the seat of a Roman fortress); the Arab Alcazar (vestige of the Emirs’ dominion 847-871) whose sole remains are visible in the layout of the old city (e.g. courtyards with a central well, as cited by some historians); places and areas of former Lombard, Byzantine, and Norman domination. Unfortunately, written documentation has gone missing, but by reading into the “litho” history, that is, into the stones, it is possible to discover and understand "the seats of power" and "what was".