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Bisceglie is a town of the province of BAT (Barletta, Andria and Trani). It has about 54.000 inhabitants, 16 meters above sea level. Bisceglie is on the Adriatic coast, 34.5 km from Bari. It is an important agricultural centre and a popular touristic destination. The weather is mild throughout the year.

There are two legends about the origin of the name of Bisceglie. The first legend tells that the town was named after the Latin name "vigiliae", which means “Sentinel”, given by Pompeo Sarnelli, the bishop of Bisceglie, for “guarding the Adriatic sea”. The second legend tells that the name derives from the dialect word "vescègghie", which is the name of a local oak variety.

In fact, in the coat of arms there is a golden oak tree. Carlo II d’Angiò gave order to portrait the tree with a gold color because of the town loyalty to the crow.

Local inhabitants are referred to as biscegliesi.

HISTORY
The town first settlement date far back in time, as the remaining of dolmen (a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb) testify. The most famous dolmen of the area is called “Chianca”. The modern city was founded by the Normans in the 11th century. It was ruled by Roberto il Guiscardo and later given as a gift to the Count of Trani, Pietro. In 1512 the town was given back to the Aragonese dynasty that enlarged it and built new fortification. In 1799 the Napoleonic troops conquered the Reign of Naples. Thus the town of Bisceglie was proclaimed free from the Spanish ruler. After a few days, Bisceglie was conquered by the Russian army that gave it back to the Bourbon dynasty.
During the Italian Risorgimento Bisceglie could count on numerous patriots. The main figure of that time was Ottavio Tupputi, who was elected at the first Italian parliament after the Unification of Italy.
In 1864 the railway connecting Foggia-Barletta-Trani was opened thus increasing local economy. In the same period the Garibaldi’s Theatre was open to the public, making Bisceglie became a lively cultural centre.
During the Fascism, Mussolini set his base in Bisceglie in the Villa Angelica and the Head Quarter in Villa Ciardi. When the Nazi retired their troops from the south of Italy, Bisceglie was taken by the Allies.
Between the 50s and the 60s Bisceglie had an enormous cultural and construction development.

MONUMENTS AND SIGHTS OF INTEREST
• Casale S. Nicola
• S. Margherita Bisceglie’s Church
• S. Adoeno’s Church
• S. Matteo Bisceglie’s Church
• Palazzo Tupputi
• Palazzo Frisari
• Palazzo Borgia
• Palazzo S. Domenico
• Palazzo La Notte
• Maestra Tower
• Bisceglie Castle
• Bisceglie’s Cathedral
• Dolmen
• San Domenico’s Church
• Archeological sites
• Pantano-Ripalta naturalistic area
• Santa Croce Caves