Molfetta

Molfetta is a town in the province of Bari in the Italian region of Apulia (Puglia). The city has always had a strong bond with the sea and with the other cities of the Mediterranean.

Understand
Molfetta is a town of almost 60,000 inhabitants.

Over time, many peoples passed from Molfetta, from the Byzantines to the Lombards, from the Saracens to the Swabians. Frederick II of Swabia named Molfetta "royal city". During the period of the Crusades, Molfetta acquired notoriety as a renowned stop during the journey to the Holy Land.

There were also numerous artists that the city gave to the world, among all: the painter Corrado Giaquinto, the sculptors Giulio Cozzoli and Filippo Cifariello, the composers Luigi Capotorti and Angelo Inglese, the philosopher Pantaleo Carabellese and the writer and poet Dino Claudio.

Climate
Molfetta enjoys a mild and comfortable climate in the spring and autumn months. In summer, temperatures can reach and exceed 30 °C during the day, but the city offers numerous free-to-use beaches and lidos.

Get in
It is about 25 km north-west of Bari.

By plane
The nearest airport is Bari Palese.

By car
From the A14 motorway, exit at Molfetta and turn left onto Provincial Road 112.

From the SS 16 Adriatica, take the Molfetta Nord, Molfetta Centro or Molfetta Sud exit.

Get around
Most of Molfetta's points of interest are located near the Borgo, and can all be visited on foot. The historic centre, Piazza Municipio and Banchina Seminario are ZTL: only residents' vehicles or those with a permit can access them.

Urban public transport is provided by 5 bus lines.

Eat
Molfetta's gastronomy is very vast, it includes simple, rustic dishes, and more refined dishes, designed to conquer the interest and pleasure of gourmets. As Molfetta is a maritime city, traditional Molfetta dishes can only be based on fish; among these we remember the famous one which consists of a soup of fresh boiled rock fish together with a sauté of fresh tomatoes, garlic and parsley in extra virgin olive oil.