Holiday apartment in Brindisi: Roman history at the harbor

Brindisi combines Roman traces, medieval and modern fortifications, and life at the harbor in an unusually close connection. The Roman Columns mark the high point of an ancient Roman monumental area known as the arx romana. From here, the official tour through the historic center at the harbor begins and leads into the historic town center, which combines Roman remains with later urban layers.

Culture

One of the notable buildings is the Tempio di San Giovanni al Sepolcro, regarded as the most faithful reproduction of the Anastasis Rotunda in the complex of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Inside, the temple preserves fragments of frescoes from different styles and periods depicting saints and sacred scenes. Next to the Porta Napoli, the Roman remains of the Limaria basins illustrate ancient hydraulic engineering.

The castles, too, tell of different periods in the city’s history. The Castello Svevo was commissioned by Frederick II in 1227. It preserves a trapezoidal layout from the time of Frederick II; later, Ferdinando I d’Aragona expanded the complex with an outer wall and four large corner towers. The Castello Alfonsino-Aragonese complex comprises an Aragonese core dating from 1445 and a later Forte area commissioned by Philip II of Austria in 1583. Castello Alfonsino stands on the island of Sant’Andrea in Brindisi’s outer harbor, opposite the entrance to the Pigonati Canal.

Brindisi’s defense system includes two castles – Castello Alfonsino, also known as Castello di Mare, and Castello Svevo – as well as the city gates Porta Napoli and Porta Lecce and four surviving bastions. The city administration uses the bastions for exhibitions and events.

Archaeology

Beneath the Nuovo Teatro Verdi lies an archaeological site with an approximately six-meter-wide section of road from Roman Brindisi. Traces of wagon wheels are still visible on the limestone slabs. The site below can be viewed from the theater foyer through a large glass floor. It is open to the public Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:30 and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00; admission is free.

Museums

The Museo Archeologico Comunale „Fondazione Salvatore Faldetta“ preserves important archaeological evidence from the Brindisi area. Its tour ends on the second floor at a viewpoint overlooking parts of Brindisi and the harbor. The Museo Diocesano G. Tarantini in the church of Santa Teresa dei Maschi houses a fully multimedia-designed area that offers visitors an immersive experience. Another area housed in the Museo Diocesano G. Tarantini is located in the church of San Paolo Eremita and presents important historical, artistic and religious evidence from the city of Brindisi.

Nature

The regional nature park „Salina di Punta della Contessa“ lies within the municipality of Brindisi. Its founding objectives include preserving habitats and species and improving the ecological function of wetlands. The founding objectives also include establishing infrastructure for soft mobility and promoting sustainable leisure activities.

Orientation

Brindisi’s waterfront promenade runs along the harbor and makes it possible to view the city and get to know some of its facets. A motobarca can take visitors from the shore of Brindisi to the Casale residential district and the Monumento al Marinaio on the opposite side of the harbor. A guided tour is mentioned for the so-called „Casa di Virgilio“ approximately once a month, usually on a Saturday.

Other location pages

In addition, you can visit the location pages for Carovigno, Cisternino, Fasano, Ostuni, Brindisi, Ceglie Messapica, San Vito Dei Normanni and Torre Canne.

Other destinations include San Michele Salentino, Torchiarolo, Specchia, Selva Di Fasano, Mesagne, Savelletri, Torre Santa Sabina and Villanova.

Also available are Casalini, Lido Specchiolla, Francavilla Fontana, Oria, Montalbano, Cellino San Marco, Pezze Di Greco and San Pietro Vernotico.

The pages for Erchie, Villa Castelli, Torre Santa Susanna, Pantanagianni-Pezze Morelli, Latiano, San Pancrazio Salentino, Rosa Marina and Caranna also lead to further regional destinations.

This selection concludes with San Donaci, Lendinuso and Grotta Figazzano.

For the overarching travel overview: Apulia.