Palazzo Simi - Centro Operativo per l’Archeologia

Welcome to Palazzo Simi, a site that serves as a literal and metaphorical window into the stratified history of Bari. Located in the heart of the historic center, known as Bari Vecchia, this elegant structure is a 16th-century…

Let us begin by observing the exterior of the palace. Palazzo Simi was built in the 16th century, a period when Bari was experiencing a cultural and economic revival under the rule of the Sforza and later the Spanish governors. …

As we descend into the lower levels of Palazzo Simi, the air becomes cooler and the sounds of the modern city fade away. We have entered the Byzantine layer of Bari, dating roughly from the 9th to the 11th centuries. …

Continuing our descent, we reach the deepest and oldest layer of the site: the Roman foundation. Long before it was a Byzantine capital or a Renaissance noble seat, Bari was the Roman municipality of Barium. …

One of the most surprising discoveries within the Palazzo Simi complex is the remains of a small medieval church dedicated to San Gregorio de Falconibus. This church, which dates back to the 11th century, was eventually swallowed…

The upper floors of Palazzo Simi house the museum's permanent collections, which focus heavily on the ceramic heritage of Puglia. Ceramics are often the most valuable tool for an archaeologist because they survive when other…

As the headquarters of the Archaeological Superintendency, Palazzo Simi is more than a museum; it is a center for active research and conservation. In this section of the tour, we consider the modern work that goes into…

As we conclude our journey through Palazzo Simi, we are left with a profound sense of the continuity of human history in Bari. We have climbed a timeline that began with the Romans, moved through the Byzantine governors, and…