We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Colonna della giustizia

74 Reviews

#18 of 140 things to do in Bari

Sights & Landmarks, Points of Interest & Landmarks

Piazza Mercantile, 70100, Bari, Italy

Review Highlights

“Pillar of shame”

This is a 'hidden element' on the Piazza Mercantile, but you should not miss it. It is an historic... read more

Reviewed 23 September 2018

tawv

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

“For debtors and for tourists.”

This pillar was erected in Bari by the Spanish Viceroy Pedro de Toledo in the middle of the XVI... read more

Reviewed 12 June 2018

VadimM67

Murmansk, Russia

Read all 74 reviews

All photos (21)

Full view

Certificate of Excellence

Traveller Overview

4.0 74 reviews

Excellent43%
Very good36%
Average20%
Poor1%
Terrible0%

Travellers talk about

“piazza mercantile”(2 reviews)

“punishment”(2 reviews)

“dating”(2 reviews)

About

Suggested duration: < 1 hour

Local Weather

F°C°

11°

4°

Dec

10°

3°

Jan

11°

2°

Feb

Contact

Piazza Mercantile, 70100, Bari, Italy

Improve This Listing

Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around Bari

Bari Street Food Walking Tour

32 Reviews

from US$56.60

More Info

4-Day Puglia Sightseeing Tour Including...

4 Reviews

from US$576.40

More Info

Bari Street Food Bike Tour

5 Reviews

from US$58.90

More Info

Bari Bike Tour

37 Reviews

from US$28.90

More Info

tawv

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

1003316

Reviewed 23 September 2018

Pillar of shame

This is a 'hidden element' on the Piazza Mercantile, but you should not miss it. It is an historic landmark, where bad debtors used to be humiliated in public.

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank tawv

VadimM67

Murmansk, Russia

19501207

Reviewed 12 June 2018

For debtors and for tourists.

This pillar was erected in Bari by the Spanish Viceroy Pedro de Toledo in the middle of the XVI century. To take and not to give was a good tradition in Puglia. Debtors to banks or individuals were chained to a shameful column. Lion is...More

Date of experience: July 2017

Thank VadimM67

Manuela L

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

66861701

Reviewed 12 March 2018

Colonna della Giustizia / Bari

On the nice italian square Piazza Mercantile, in the heart of Bari, the old town , is a historical monument, a stone column , called Colonna della Giustizia.

Date of experience: July 2017

Thank Manuela L

Vladimir1998

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

460215

Reviewed 14 February 2018

Okay... I guess?

Read now on TripAdvisor what the column is about. Almost did not notice it, and it's actually a pretty cool thing. Could use an information plaque.

Date of experience: January 2018

Thank Vladimir1998

Tony M

Malta

543275

Reviewed 6 January 2018

Took a photo and moved on

Found in one corner at the far end of Piazza Mercantile. The age of the column and lion are evident from the worn surfaces. People seem to climb on the lion's back to take selfies and generally fool around. Had to wait for a while...More

Date of experience: January 2018

Thank Tony M

David B

318

Reviewed 2 August 2017

A hidden gem

Dating back to 16th century, this historical artifact depicts where insolvent debtors used to be punishment. One of the many wonders of Bari

Date of experience: August 2017

Thank David B

KrisD_pl

Warsaw, Poland

939467

Reviewed 18 February 2017

The column of justice

Dating back to 16th century, this column - accompanied by a figure of a lion - was a place where insolvent debtors used to be exposed for punishment by public humiliation.