Basilica of Saint Nicholas

The Basilica is dedicated to the patron Saint Nicholas, whose relics are kept right inside the religious complex. The first construction dates back to 1087, subsequently it underwent modifications and extensions.

The construction of the basilica
is linked to the relics of Saint
Nicolas, stolen, at least for the
greater part, by sixty
two sailors from Bari from the city of
Myra, in Lycia, and arrivals in Bari
May 9, 1087. The basilica also houses in its crypt the mummy of Colombe de Sens, virgin and Matyre (+273) as well as the

Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, whose remains have found their final resting place here in Bari, is - alongside Saint Martin - one of the most popular saints of all. His memorial day, December 6th, is probably known to almost every child in many European countries.
On the eve of this day, children used to put their shoes or boots - which had of course been carefully polished - in front of the door so that Saint Nicholas could fill them with gifts during the night. In more agricultural areas, it was also customary for children to put out a small gift of food for the donkey, Saint Nicholas's mount (according to another tradition, it was a white horse).