The Colors of Saint Nicholas: manna bottles on display at Castello

The Colors of Saint Nicholas: manna between art and devotion

Castello Svevo in Bari hosts the exhibition "The Colors of Saint Nicholas", featuring fourteen hand-painted bottles — traditional containers associated with the so-called manna of Saint Nicholas — recovered after a seizure and restored for public display.

What to see

• Fourteen bottles dating from the 19th century to the second half of the 20th century, including works by the Bari painter Michele Montrone and one attributed to the mysterious Painter of the Candles.
• Two additional bottles on loan from the Museo Nicolaiano complement the exhibition.
• Several images reference Nicholas iconography, such as Saint Nicholas saving a ship, inspired by a detail from the Guidalotti polyptych.

Provenance and preservation

The items were confiscated from organized crime in 1995 and are currently held by the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of the Metropolitan City of Bari. They belong to the national agency that manages assets seized from criminal organizations; the exhibition highlights their historical, artistic and devotional significance.

Opening and organisation

The exhibition was inaugurated with institutional and religious representatives and is part of the program tied to the Feast of Saint Nicholas.

Practical information

• Venue: Castello Svevo, Bari — Regional Directorate of National Museums Puglia.
• Exhibition period: from 2026-05-06 until 2026-07-05 (inclusive).
• For opening hours, visitor information and tickets, check the official Castello Svevo website or the channels of the Regional Directorate of National Museums Puglia.

This exhibition is an opportunity to explore how objects of devotion intersect with local artistic practice, becoming witnesses to religious tradition and social history.