Holiday apartment in Brindisi: harbour views, history and archaeology

An atmospheric waterfront promenade runs along the coast of Brindisi and offers views of different sides of the city. From the top of the Monumento al Marinaio, you can enjoy views of the harbour and the entire city of Brindisi. This creates different starting points for days spent together, catering to a range of interests.

Experience the harbour and historic centre

The tour of the historic centre recommended by the Municipality of Brindisi begins at the Roman Columns beside the harbour. The Colonne del Porto stand above a high staircase built in the first half of the 20th century. They are aligned with the narrow canal that connects Brindisi’s inner harbour with the open sea. According to tradition, the Colonne del Porto mark the end of the Via Appia.

The Palazzina Belvedere has a terrace overlooking the inner harbour. A motobarca connects Brindisi via the harbour with the district of Casale on the opposite side.

Discover archaeology

The Francesco Ribezzo Archaeological Museum is divided into six exhibition areas: epigraphy, statues, antiquaria, prehistory, numismatics and an underwater exhibition featuring the bronzes of Punta del Serrone. The different sections lead from early periods and inscriptions to sculptures, coins and finds from the sea.

The San Pietro degli Schiavoni archaeological area preserves a Roman district with a cardo running from north to south and the remains of domus houses with mosaic floors. Excavations at Palazzo Granafei-Nervegna uncovered, from 2000 onwards, floors and structural remains of a private Roman residence dating from the second half of the 1st century to the 2nd century AD. These include mosaic floors with black-and-white and multicoloured marble tesserae. The Collezione Archeologica Faldetta preserves important archaeological evidence from the Apulia region.

Architectural history between the Middle Ages and the harbour fortress

The Castello Svevo was built in 1227 on the orders of Frederick II and still preserves a trapezoidal Hohenstaufen layout. The San Giovanni al Sepolcro temple was built before 1128 by the military order of the Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulchre and designed as a replica of the Rotunda of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The temple therefore predates the Castello Svevo, whose construction was commissioned only later.

The Castello Alfonsino also points to the importance of the harbour: in February 1481, Ferrante d’Aragona ordered construction of the Castello Alfonsino fortress to begin in order to guard the harbour of Brindisi. Anyone choosing a holiday apartment in Brindisi can therefore tailor their daily routine to different interests – such as the city’s history, archaeological finds, harbour views or a tour of the historic centre.

More places for planning your trip

For additional travel ideas, you can also explore Francavilla Fontana, Specchia, Ostuni, Caranna, Cisternino, Carovigno, Casalini and Pantanagianni-Pezze Morelli.

For the overview of the wider area: Brindisi.