Bari is the capital of the province of the Apulia region of southern Italy. The city has about 330,000 inhabitants. Bari is an important port on the Adriatic coast
In the Basilica of St. Nicholas are kept the relics of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra. These were brought in 1087 from Myra by sailors from Bari. St. Nicholas is the patron saint of the city. His feast is celebrated extensively each year on 6, 7 and 8th May. These are the same saint whose feast day (December 6) will be held on 5 and 6 December in honor including in the Low Countries. Nicholas is also a saint in the Eastern Orthodox churches.