Brindisi is a city in the Puglia (Apulia) region of southeast Italy,
situated on a natural harbour on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Owing to its position, Brindisi has been an important port and a major
centre of trade and culture for many centuries. Today, it is
active in many fields of commerce and industry, including agriculture,
viticulture, aerospace, chemicals and energy production. Brindisi
is also a popular tourist destination, particularly for the
Italians. The region is one of the most picturesque in Italy,
with miles of unspoiled coastline with sandy beaches and some stunning
countryside. The Pulgian coast is especially renowned for its
sunshine and surf.
Brindisi was founded by ancient Greek traders and was originally named Brentesion, which means 'deer's head', after the shape of its harbour. It was captured by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Renamed Brundisium, it rapidly grew into an important Roman colony and thriving centre of maritime trade, connected to the Via Appia and the Via Traiana. The poet Virgil died here in 19 BC. After the fall of Rome, Brindisi's lack of defences made it prey to attack. It was invaded by the Goths and Lombards in the 6th and 7th centuries AD, but by the 11th century it had once again become an important sea port under the Byzantine Empire. It was conquered by the Normans in 1070 and brought into the Principality of Taranto and the Duchy of Apulia. Because of its location, Brindisi was an essential port during the Crusades. In the 18th century, the city was controlled by the Austrians and then the Bourbons, and experienced another economic boom when the opening of the Pigott channel gave a boost to its trade with the East.
Whilst it is easy to be seduced by the nearby beaches and surrounding
countryside, no visitor to Brindisi should overlook its many
architectural gems. Foremost of these is the Aragonese Castle (or Forte a Mare),
built for King Ferdinand I of Naples in the 15th century to defend the
city from attack. Standing on the Island of St Andrew in the port of
Brindisi, it comprises the Red Castle (so-named because of the colour
of its bricks) and the Fort, which housed the garrisons. This
superseded an earlier fortress, the Castello
Svevo (Swabian Castle), which is noted for its magnificent Renaissance round towers
and high walls. This dates back to the 13th century and may
have been founded by Frederick II just prior to
his departure for the Crusades. In
the 15th century, the castle was enlarged by Ferdinand I of Naples and
given over to the Republic of Venice.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the castle was used as a prison and was
subsequently owned by the Navy.
Brindisi's main sacred building is the Duomo (Cathedral). This was founded in the 11th century, although much of the original Romanesque structure was destroyed in the 1743 earthquake. Rebuilt in the 18th century, it is still an imposing structure, and its interior reveals parts of the original mosaic flooring. Santa Maria del Casale is a Gothic-Romanesque church dating from the early 14th century. It is noted for its patterned façade and interior frescos from the 14th century. The Portico of the Templars, built in the 13th century, was originally the loggia of the bishop's palace but now serves as the entrance to the Museo Ribezzo.
Another important landmark is the Tancredi Fountain (Fontana Grande), which stands near the Via Provinciale San Vito. Originally a Roman structure, this was restored on the orders of Tancred of Lecce, king of Sicily, in 1192 to celebrate his son's marriage to the daughter of the Emperor of Constantinople. One of the important symbols of Brindisi is a pair of ancient Roman columns which marked the end of the Appian Way. Only one of these survives; the other collapsed in the 16th century. The San Pietro degli Schiavoni district has an interesting archaeological area with Roman remains, including a thermal spa.
Brindisi's historic buildings are only a part of its attraction. Just as important is the region's natural landscape, cuisine and folklore. Two ancient rites that are worth seeing are the Sea Procession of Patron Saints , which takes place each year in the first of September, and the Adorned Horse of Corpus Domini and Osanna, a Greek rite that dates back to the 10th century.
The town of Ostuni lies further up the coast, just to the north of Brindisi. Its attractions include pristine beaches and its Old Town, built on a hill within its ancient fortifications. Noted for its historical buildings, many of which are painted white, Ostuni is known as la Città Bianca (the White Town).
Brindisi's nearest airport is Papola Casale Airport, 6 km from the city centre. This offers flights to a several Italian cities and a limited number of European destinations, including: Milan, Bologna, Venice, Turin, Brussels, Geneva and Munuch. There are also ferry services to the Greek island of Corfu and Vlore in Albania. Brindisi railway station is an important regional hub and provides connections to several major Italian cities.
Brindisi was founded by ancient Greek traders and was originally named Brentesion, which means 'deer's head', after the shape of its harbour. It was captured by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. Renamed Brundisium, it rapidly grew into an important Roman colony and thriving centre of maritime trade, connected to the Via Appia and the Via Traiana. The poet Virgil died here in 19 BC. After the fall of Rome, Brindisi's lack of defences made it prey to attack. It was invaded by the Goths and Lombards in the 6th and 7th centuries AD, but by the 11th century it had once again become an important sea port under the Byzantine Empire. It was conquered by the Normans in 1070 and brought into the Principality of Taranto and the Duchy of Apulia. Because of its location, Brindisi was an essential port during the Crusades. In the 18th century, the city was controlled by the Austrians and then the Bourbons, and experienced another economic boom when the opening of the Pigott channel gave a boost to its trade with the East.
Brindisi's main sacred building is the Duomo (Cathedral). This was founded in the 11th century, although much of the original Romanesque structure was destroyed in the 1743 earthquake. Rebuilt in the 18th century, it is still an imposing structure, and its interior reveals parts of the original mosaic flooring. Santa Maria del Casale is a Gothic-Romanesque church dating from the early 14th century. It is noted for its patterned façade and interior frescos from the 14th century. The Portico of the Templars, built in the 13th century, was originally the loggia of the bishop's palace but now serves as the entrance to the Museo Ribezzo.
Another important landmark is the Tancredi Fountain (Fontana Grande), which stands near the Via Provinciale San Vito. Originally a Roman structure, this was restored on the orders of Tancred of Lecce, king of Sicily, in 1192 to celebrate his son's marriage to the daughter of the Emperor of Constantinople. One of the important symbols of Brindisi is a pair of ancient Roman columns which marked the end of the Appian Way. Only one of these survives; the other collapsed in the 16th century. The San Pietro degli Schiavoni district has an interesting archaeological area with Roman remains, including a thermal spa.
Brindisi's historic buildings are only a part of its attraction. Just as important is the region's natural landscape, cuisine and folklore. Two ancient rites that are worth seeing are the Sea Procession of Patron Saints , which takes place each year in the first of September, and the Adorned Horse of Corpus Domini and Osanna, a Greek rite that dates back to the 10th century.
The town of Ostuni lies further up the coast, just to the north of Brindisi. Its attractions include pristine beaches and its Old Town, built on a hill within its ancient fortifications. Noted for its historical buildings, many of which are painted white, Ostuni is known as la Città Bianca (the White Town).
Brindisi's nearest airport is Papola Casale Airport, 6 km from the city centre. This offers flights to a several Italian cities and a limited number of European destinations, including: Milan, Bologna, Venice, Turin, Brussels, Geneva and Munuch. There are also ferry services to the Greek island of Corfu and Vlore in Albania. Brindisi railway station is an important regional hub and provides connections to several major Italian cities.
Also in Italy:
Top tourist attractions in Brindisi, Italy:
- Cathedral
- Church of St. John Sepulchre
- Holy Trinity Church
- Roman columns
- Swabian-Aragonese Castle
- Torres Fountain
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