Sant’Antonio Abate Fortino

Castle in Bari

Fortino Di SantAntonio Lungomare Imperatore Augusto

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Enric

The Sant’Antonio Abate Fortino is strategically located along the Imperatore Augusto seafront, directly facing the old port, now known as Sant’Antonio Pier. Along with Santa Scolastica, it was one of the four main ramparts that defined Bari’s city walls until the 19th century. The fortino stands at the highest point of the old town, offering views of both the medieval wall extending along the seafront to the left and the early 20th-century waterfront to the right. Its origins trace back to 1071 during the siege of Bari, when the Norman Robert Guiscard built a stone tower to protect the port. Such towers were typically built directly on rock, in contact with the sea, and were the most vulnerable parts of the city’s defenses, often dedicated to saints believed to offer protection. The Bari fortino was named after Saint Antonio Abate, following the discovery of a chapel containing a wooden statue dedicated to him. Saint Antonio Abate was venerated for his miraculous powers against contagious diseases and for protecting animals. Within the fort’s walls, remains of an ancient church from the 11th or 12th century, likely the Church of San Nicola by-the-port, were also uncovered.

Over the centuries, the fort underwent numerous enhancements to strengthen its defenses. It was completely rebuilt in the 15th century under the direction of Isabella of Aragon and the Bari Universitas. In the 16th century, the fort was given its distinctive fortified appearance, which was meticulously restored by the local council and Cultural Authority in recent years. Today, the fortino serves as a cultural venue, with rooms accessible from Via Venezia and the Imperatore Augusto seafront, used for exhibitions, conferences, and public events. The fort has a long history of serving both as a lookout point against potential invaders and as a place of worship dedicated to saints believed to grant miracles. The fort’s name comes from a small chapel dedicated to Saint Antonio Abate, which opens every year on January 17th to celebrate the saint’s feast day. On this day, locals bring their animals to be blessed and seek the saint’s protection against ailments like Herpes Zoster, known as St. Anthony’s Fire. Historically, the fort was also part of a local tradition where cannons were fired on Ascension Day to honor Venice’s fleet, which liberated Bari from the Saracens in 1002, a ceremony known as the “vidua vidua,” named after the crowd’s chant as the cannons were fired.

The Sant’Antonio Abate Fortino appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bari!

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