Barletta

Barletta: Norman castle

Barletta, city, Puglia (Apulia) region, southeastern Italy, and port and resort on the Adriatic Sea, northwest of Bari. Originating as the ancient Barduli, it served as the port and bathing resort for Canusium (modern Canosa di Puglia; 14 miles [22 km] west-southwest) in Roman times. Captured by the Ostrogoths (5th century), the Byzantines (6th century), and the Lombards (6th century), it became part of the Kingdom of Naples in the 11th century. During a siege of Barletta by the French in 1503 a combat took place between 13 Italian and 13 French picked knights in which the Italians were victorious. An episcopal see, Barletta was the seat of the archbishops of Nazareth from 1291 to 1818.

Notable buildings of the old town include the Gothic cathedral (1150; extended 14th and 15th centuries); the Norman castle, extended by the emperor Charles V in 1532–37; and the 13th-century church of S. Sepolcro. There are several palaces and museums.

An agricultural centre, Barletta is noted for wines, olives, almonds, and fruits. The main industries are electrical, chemical, and automobile manufacture and sawmilling and leatherworking. The port is important for fishing as well as commerce. Pop. (2006 est.) mun., 93,081.