Barletta at the time of the Bourbons, and in particular during the reign of Ferdinand II, nicknamed the "Bomb King" for having his own subjects cannonaded, was an extremely class-oriented city and those who could afford it gathered regularly near De Nittis' home beneath the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher with its bronze Colossus of Heraclius in front.
Barletta during the Bourbon era, particularly under Ferdinand II's rule, earned the nickname "Bomb King" for its artillery bombardments. The city was also characterized by a strict social hierarchy, and those who could afford it would often congregate near De Nittis' residence beneath the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, which featured a bronze Colossus of Heraclius.