Bari
and Matera
The city of the Conference, Bari,
has been founded by the mythical heroes
of the Hellenic world. Influences
from the Romans to the Arabs and the
Byzantines, under whose rule Bari
lived its acume in wealth and cultural
prestige, were subsequently followed
by the Norman invasion. Afterwards
the town was conquered by the Angevin
rulers, Aragonese, Sforza and Bourbons
down to Napoleon’s time when
Gioacchino Murat decreed that the
town should become the provincial
capital in 1813. The main monuments
of the old town centre are the basilica
of San Nicola, the Cathedral of San
Sabino and the Norman-Swabian Castle.
A historical and cultural post conference
excursion to Matera will be organised
for the participants and their accompanying
persons on March 30th.
The route’s stop over will be
the city of Matera, one of Southern
Italy’s most charming locality
and one of the most ancient towns
in the world, famous for its Sassi
or caves from the prehistoric age.
Built on a rocky plateau and sliced
in two by the Gravina ravine, Matera's
cave dwellings were inhabited by man
as early as the Palaeolithic era.
To link the dwellings in the Sassi,
there is a complex network of narrow
streets and flights of steps climbing
up to the fronts of houses.
Matera is one of the most fascinating
historic centres in Italy which was
formally recognized in 1993 as a UNESCO
world heritage site.
Climate
The pleasant climate of Bari provides
sunshine more than 3,000 h/yr. In
May, the days are warm (average high
above 22° C or 72° F) while
nights are slightly cooler.
Access to Bari
The Conference Centre is located just
a few minutes away from the downtown
of Bari, 800 metres from the central
railway station, 500 metres from the
belt road (Tangenziale) and 8 km from
the Bari “Palese” airport.
Taxi and buses link directly the central
railway station with the conference
venue. If travelling by car, on the
highway and belt road, take the following
exits:
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