Piazza del Ferrarese is the broad square where Bari's old town meets the seafront promenade, and the usual way into Bari Vecchia from the modern city. In its centre, a stretch of old stone paving has been left uncovered, with grooves worn by the carts that once rolled into town. Around it stand an old fish market, a former food market turned art space and the apses of an 11th-century church.
Piazza del Ferrarese at a glance
- Where: on Lungomare Imperatore Augusto, on the seaward edge of Bari Vecchia, next to Piazza Mercantile and between the old town and the Murat district.
- Built: the buildings around it span from the 11th-century Vallisa church to the market halls of 1818 and 1840; the old paving was kept on view when the square was last renovated.
- What it is today: a pedestrian square with bars and restaurants, an exhibition space, a farmers' market and the main entrance to the old town.
- Time needed: 15 minutes to look around; longer in the evening, when the square fills up.
A merchant's name and two markets
Tradition says the square takes its name from a merchant from Ferrara who settled in Bari and owned property here; the details of his story vary from source to source. The square lies where the walled old town meets the sea, and it has always been a place of trade and arrival. In the centre you can still see part of the oldest paving, with grooves left by carts entering the city, kept on view during the renovation of the square and often described as remains of the Roman road.
In the 19th century, as Bari grew beyond its walls into the new grid-plan Murat district, the square became a market hub. A food market was founded on the square in 1818; it was demolished in the mid-20th century and rebuilt in the 1990s as Spazio Murat, now an exhibition space for contemporary art and design. Across the square stands the former fish market of 1840, with a ramp beside it climbing to Via Venezia on top of the old sea walls.
What to look for
- The ancient paving in the middle of the square: large stones with grooves worn by cart wheels.
- The apses of the Vallisa: the rounded back walls of an 11th-century church, now deconsecrated and used as a cultural centre.
- Palazzo Starita at the back of the square, built in 18th-century style on the remains of an old arsenal. Look for the sundial on its front.
- The former fish market of 1840 and the ramp next to it, leading up to Via Venezia and the Fortino di Sant'Antonio Abate, the highest point of the old town.
- Spazio Murat: the rebuilt market hall across from the fish market, where you can check what exhibition is on.
St Nicholas comes by sea
Bari's patron is St Nicholas, whose relics were brought here from Myra in 1087, and the square plays a part in his festival in early May. An altar is set up in Piazza del Ferrarese, fireworks are launched from the Molo Sant'Antonio, and the saint's statue is carried by boat along the coast towards the square. If you are in Bari during the festival, this is one of the best places to watch.
Tips for your visit
- Come in the early evening: this is where locals start the passeggiata along the seafront, and the bars around the square fill up.
- Take the ramp up to Via Venezia for a walk along the old sea walls, with views over the Adriatic and down into the square.
- Start your exploration of Bari Vecchia here: from the square, the lanes lead straight into the old town towards the Basilica of San Nicola.
Nearby
- Piazza Mercantile: the main square of the old town, with its stone column once used to shame debtors, right next door.
- Basilica of San Nicola: the great pilgrimage church built for the relics of St Nicholas, a few minutes' walk through the old town.
- Fortino di Sant'Antonio Abate: the small fort at the end of Via Venezia, with a view along the seafront.
- Teatro Margherita: the theatre built over the water at the edge of the old town, now used for contemporary art.
See Bari with World City Trail
Our Bari scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 2 hours, with about 35 minutes of walking. It takes you through Bari Vecchia to the Basilica of San Nicola.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Bari.
Play the Bari scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Bari →
Play the outdoor escape game in Bari →
Facts checked in October 2026.