Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is a pretty plaza and an oasis of green in the city centre. Surrounded by shops and cafés, it is among the largest of central Bari’s squares. Meander around the trees, stroll along the symmetrical pathways that loop around the piazza and check out the elegant fountain at its centre.
The piazza takes its name from a 19th-century military leader and Italian patriot who is considered one of the most important figures in the country’s history. Sit on one of the piazza’s benches and watch the local people go by. Find a patch of grass for a picnic with your family and friends. The park has a range of vegetation, most notably palm trees, which provide cool shade in the warm Bari summers.
Note the white lines that mark the main walkway and form a double circle around the central fountain and octagonal shapes around the two small features on either side of the plaza. The eastern of the two features is an intriguing outdoor art installation. Capture photos of the artwork, which consists of a jumbled vertical chain of concrete fragments.
Admire the large circular fountain, which has an outer and inner basin. Relish the tranquility of the plaza, with the sound of birds and splashing water creating a peaceful atmosphere in the busy downtown area.
Purchase snacks and refreshments from one of the kiosks outside the small park. Dine at one of the pizzerias on the roads leading off from the square.
The plaza can be entered for free and is open at all times.
Find the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi a little to the southwest of the old town district in central Bari. It is a few blocks west of the Teatro Piccinni and the Norman Castle. Walk northwest for about 20 minutes from the Bari Centrale train station to reach the plaza.
