San Nicola is the historic district of the city of Bari. Named as Bari Vecchia by its inhabitants, is inserted within the ancient walls, and is so called, since the nineteenth century, as opposed to the new city. Bari Vecchia is located in the peninsula between Bari’s two new ports (the old port and the new port). Bari Vecchia exudes life, authenticity, humanity.

«The world around the ancient San Nicola is a drunk anthill fulfilled with vitality. Old courtyards are rooms, old chapels are warehouses, a staircase breaks through a wall, a wall raises its head over the ceiling. With the arm outstretched the seller of dried and salted tomatoes and his incomprehensible lament excites the appetite. Then a thousand half-naked children stick out their piece of bread. While the mother combs the comare, the daughter makes the dough on a large stone, in front of the door of the house. With a pinch of pasta she gives birth to other puppies, she blows on them: go play, get out of here. So the old Bari is multiplied indefinitely, thanks to God, it grows new and never dies.»
(Italo Calvino)