Trani Cathedral

The cathedral of Trani, dedicated to Saint Nicholas the Pilgrim, stands free on a wide square right by the sea. Work on the present church began at the end of the 11th century in the Apulian Romanesque style; it replaced an early Christian cathedral of the 5th century. The pale stone is calcareous tuff from the town's quarries. The 59-metre bell tower was completed shortly after the middle of the 14th century. Because of structural problems, it was taken down stone by stone in 1957, rebuilt on a reinforced foundation, and a reinforced-concrete structure was built into its base.

The main entrance sits well above street level. Inside you can see the crypt of Santa Maria della Scala with its 28 marble columns and the hypogeum of San Leucio, about 1.5 metres below sea level; the crypt of Saint Nicholas can also be reached from outside through an opening below the portal. The bronze door with 32 relief panels by Barisano da Trani can be seen inside as a restored original; a copy from 2012 hangs at the portal.

The neighbouring harbour is well suited to a stroll, as is the Villa Comunale, a garden by the sea. The Castello Svevo is also within walking distance.