This morning we arrived in Bari, Puglia ... Monday and everything is open and buzzing. Our bus gave us a little drive-around and then we walked to the Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas. He is the city's patron saint, and his name and reputation morphed over time to become St. Nicholas - ie: Santa Claus.

On our way to the basilica we stopped to see the punishment post in the town square. The two lions symbolize justice, and this was where they tied up wrong-doers for a day or two as punishment for all the townsfolk to see.

The Basilica is truly wonderful with it's decoration and it's combination of Catholic church and old Orthodox Church in the tomb below. It is the only church in Italy that has these two elements in the same building. the exterior of the building is decorated with animals that symbolize Jesus. The interior features arches, statues and the below-level tomb where it is also set up for the Orthodox service.

Interesting fact: notables were buried beneath the church floor until 1806 when Napoleon instituted cemetery burial.