The town with three campaniles, Andria fidelis: these are two of the many possible definitions appropriate for Andria. Located 151 m above sea level, only 6 km far from the seashore and placed in the heart of the Bari-Andria Murgia, this city boasts a rich history of kingdoms and dominations – Norman, Swebian, Angevin, Aragonese – that visitors can discovered walking through the picturesque town centre across mediaeval lanes and paths. The three campaniles, belonging respectively to the Church of S. Francesco (XIII-XIV century), the Church of S. Domenico (XIV-XVI century) and to the Cathedral are considered the main symbols of the city. The church of S. Francesco is a marvellous example of late Baroque art with some Gothic decorations such as its two portals and the cloister; on the right side of the presbytery, the chapel dedicated to SS. Maria dell’Addolorata hosts a valuable wooden statue of the Virgin of Our Sorrows. A peculiar mixture of styles characterizes the Cathedral of Andria dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary: a Neoclassical portal, a Romanic rose window, a Gothic interior. On the right side of the transept, in the homonymous chapel Jesus Christ’s Holy Thorn, donated to the Chapter of the Cathedral by Beatrice D’Angiò in 1308 is kept. This is believed to bleed in those years when 25th March, the Annunciation day, coincides with the Holy Friday, as it happened in 2005 after seventy years since the last time. According to the tradition, in the Early Christian crypt, two of the wives of Frederick II are buried. Andria indeed lets visitors inhale its strong and everlasting bond with the Swebian Emperor, as witnessed by an epigraph placed on the Porta S. Andrea (also known as Frederick’s Arch) to remind the fidelity of Andria people to Frederick II. The Swebian power is symbolized by Castel del Monte where influences from Gothic, Romanic, Arabian, and Norman art mingle together. In 1996 the castle was awarded the title of World Heritage Site.
Tourist Office
P.zza Vittorio Emanuele II n. 15/16/17
+39 0883/261605
Tourist Office
+39 0883/290307
infostagioneteatrale@comune.andria.ba.it
Pro Loco - Tourist Office
Via A. Vespucci, 114
+39 0883/592283
http://www.proloco.andria.ba.it
direttivo@proloco.andria.ba.it
Town Police
+39 0883/290516
