Greetings from Italy: Trani Italy
Author: Carolyn Peace
Greetings from Italy: Trani, Italy
Carolyn Peace
Trani is a port city situated on the Adriatic Sea. It was originally known as Turenum and was founded in Roman times. It rose to prominence as a maritime center during the 11th and 13th centuries. Today, Trani is an active seaport and tourist attraction. It has a population of approximately 60,000 and is very densely populated. Most people live in apartments. Interestingly, the people refer to apartments as houses. If you have a house, they refer to it as a villa, and garages are boxes.
The original town site of Trani is referred to as the "Old Town." This area has three very distinct and different sites -- the Cathedral area, the port and the Jewish District.
The Romanesque Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and famous churches of the Apulian Romanesque period. The Cathedral was built between the 11th and 13th centuries entirely of the famous Trani white stone. It is dedicated to Saint Nicolas the Pilgrim, a Greek youth who died here in 1094. The Cathedral contains the crypt of Saint Nicola Pellegrino (another name for Saint Nicolas the Pilgrim), containing the relics of the Saint.
The bell tower stands 193 feet and was mostly built in 1230-1239. The challenge for building both the Cathedral and the bell tower is their location, as they sit on the edge of the Adriatic Sea.
According to historical markers here, the Port of Trani is where the Knights Templar set sail for the Holy Land during the Crusades. The Knights Templar still have a small presence here. During certain periods of the year, you can visit their place of worship. Once, the port was a trading point for wines, fruits and grains. Today, it's a popular spot for yachts to dock during their crossing of the Adriatic. It's also a very busy fishing port. Fishermen sell their fish and various seafood at the port almost daily. Fridays are their busiest days. Cafes and restaurants line the port to attract the tourists. A walk along the port is definitely worth your time.
The Jewish District (Giudecca) has been here since the 1100s. It is located between the Cathedral and the port. There were four synagogues here at one time. Today, there is one active synagogue and one that was built in 1247 and serves as a museum to tell the story of the Jewish people in Trani. It was a major center for merchants, physicians, notaries and translators. Via Cambio, where we live, is a small street leading to the port. It was once the banking district for the Jewish community. Cambio means change. This is another area worth strolling through with its narrow streets and small alleyways all lined with beautiful flowers displayed on the balconies.
Hope you have enjoyed reading about this lovely area of Italy.
Article Images
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PhotoCredit: Carolyn Peace
Image 1 Caption: A beautiful street in Trani
**This photo was published in her previous article.
Image 2 Caption: The Cathedral and its impressive bell tower sit on the edge of the Adriatic Sea.
Photo Credit: Carolyn Peace
