Save island community in southern Italy (4)

I believe the answer is:

bari

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'community in southern italy' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'save island' is the wordplay.
'save' becomes 'bar' (both can mean 'except').
'island' becomes 'i' (geographical abbreviation).
'bar'+'i'='BARI'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bari that I've seen before include "Adriatic port" , "Adriatic seaport" , "Adriatic resort" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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