Renamed as the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bari–Bitonto on Sept. 30, 1986.
Conference Region: Puglia
Metropolitan (if applicable):
Suffragans (if applicable): Altamura–Gravina–Acquaviva delle Fonti, Andria, Conversano–Monopoli, Molfetta–Ruvo–Giovinazzo–Terlizzi, Trani–Barletta–Bisceglie.
Area: 1,264 km² (488 sq. miles).
In 2004 the diocese had a population of 720,000, 712,000 (98.9%) of which are Catholics. There are 125 parishes, 372 priests (207 Diocesan and 165 Religious), 62 permanent deacons, 259 male religious, and 711 female religious.
Baricelli (or Baricello), Giulio Cesare: (b. San Marco dei Cavoti (BN), 1574; d. Benevento). Physician, scientist, philosopher, humanist. Few facts are known about his life but he appears to have been a humanist of some note. His principal medical work was De hydronosa natura, siue sudore humani corporis libri quatuor, a study on human sweat. In 1617, he was the first physician to prescribe mercury as a medication.
baride: Traditional Sicilian brass bands.
Barile (PZ): A commune in the province of Potenza.
Barisano da Trani: (b. Trani (BA); fl. 1179). Sculptor.
Barisciano (AQ): A commune in the province of L‘Aquila. Population: 1,787 (2006e).
Barium: (mod. Bari) A city of ancient Apulia (Peucetia). Under the Romans, it held the status of a municipium. Situated on the Via Egnatia between Butuntum and Turris Julianae, on the Adriatic coast. It was famous in ancient times for its fisheries.
Barletta (BA): a seaport city and commune in the province of Bari, situated on the Adriatic coast of Puglia. Area: 146.91 km². Population: 93,230 (2007e); 93,081 (2006e); 92,094 (2001); 89,527 (1991); 83,453 (1981).
Barletta-Andria-Trani, Province of: A new province of Puglia set to become official in 2009. Area: 1,538 km². It will be composed of ten communes taken from the provinces of Bari and Foggia: Andria (BA), Barletta (BA), Bisceglie (BA), Canosa (BA), Margherita di Savoia (FG), Minervino Murge (BA), San Ferdinando di Puglia (FG), Spinazzola (BA), Trani (BA), and Trinitapoli (FG). These communes had an estimated population in 2005 of 384,293.
Barnabei, Felice: (b. Jan. 13, 1842 at Castelli (TE); d. Oct. 29, 1922 at Rome). Archaeologist and politician.
Barolo (or Banolo, Banulo), Andrea: (b. Barolo or Barletta; fl. 16th century). Jurist and royal counselor. He wrote a number of legal works including Sopra le Leggi de’ Longobardi (Venice, 1537).
Barone (Eng. Baron): The lowest grade of nobility. The term derives from a Gothic term meaning “man”, apparently used to designate a representative or a servant. Barons originally served as castellans, overseers of royal lands.
Baronissi (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Baroque: An architectural style which followed the Renaissance in Italy. It reached its height during the 16th century. Many art historians and critics, especially in the English-speaking world, condemn Baroque style as being too extreme and ostentatious. Baroque decoration made extensive use of stucco, gold leaf and colored marbles. Many important religious, government, and private buildings throughout the provinces of the Two Sicilies date from the high point of the Baroque period. As a result, even today, they are often criticized as “appalling” and in “bad taste.” This prejudice the Baroque has prevented many of the most beautiful works of art and architecture in Italy from getting to credit they deserve.
Barra (NA): a town in Campania.
Barrafranca (EN): a commune in the province of Enna. Population: 13,039 (2006e).
Barrea (AQ): A commune in the province of L‘Aquila. Population: 771 (2006e).
Bartolomeo da Camoglie: (b. Liguria. fl. 1339-1348). Painter. His most famous work is the Madonna dell’Umiltà, in the Cloister of the Church of San Francesco d’ Assisi in Palermo, signed and dated 1346.
Basciano (TE): A commune in the province of Teramo.
Baselice (BN): A commune in the province of Benevento. Population: 2,674 (2007e); 2,699 (2006e).