Church of Santa Maria del Buonconsiglio, Bari

Historic Site in Bari

Bari - Ruderi Della Chiesa Di Santa Maria Del Buonconsiglio — CC BY-SA 4.0 / Acquario51

The square of Santa Maria del Buonconsiglio is one of the most picturesque and historically rich corners of Bari’s old city. The original Byzantine church, once a grand apse structure with three naves, was unfortunately demolished in the 1930s during a misguided restoration effort aimed at highlighting the “Romanesque” aspects of the city. Today, only the Roman columns with their Corinthian capitals and fragments of the polychrome mosaic floor remain as a testament to the church’s former grandeur. The church was steeped in local legend, said to have been built following a violent dispute in 946 between the people of Bari and the Byzantines over the right to accompany brides to the altar. This conflict, which tragically resulted in bloodshed, eventually led to a truce, symbolized by the “good advice” that gives the church its name. Archaeological studies conducted in the 1980s revealed that the church dates back to between the 10th and 12th centuries, with evidence of earlier structures beneath it, tracing the city’s history back to the Bronze Age.

The church of Santa Maria del Buonconsiglio, constructed between the late 9th and mid-10th centuries, featured three naves divided by pillars, and its floors were covered with intricate mosaics dating from the 11th and 12th centuries. Although much of the original mosaic flooring from the 10th century has been lost, a few remnants still survive. Excavations have uncovered artifacts from nearly every historical era, including coins from Byzantine emperors and evidence of earlier settlements dating back to the Bronze Age. The site also held significant burial grounds, with medieval and early medieval graves that provided insight into the wealth and influence of the religious community that once thrived there. After a major renovation in the 12th century, the church became home to Augustinian nuns in 1560 and served as a Monte di Pietà, an institution supporting orphans, established by Queen Bona Sforza. Despite its rich history, the church was abandoned in 1824 and eventually demolished in 1939, leaving behind only a few remnants, including a reproduction of the Madonna degli Angeli fresco that was once venerated within its walls.

The Church of Santa Maria del Buonconsiglio, Bari appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bari!

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