Brindisi seafront
The city of Brindisi is one of the most important port cities in Italy, a fascinating city that offers not only a spectacular view of the Adriatic Sea, but also a rich testimony of local history and culture.
If you have arrived in Puglia through Brindisi airport, our advice is to dedicate a day to visiting the city.
In this article we will help you organize a simple itinerary that crosses the Brindisi seafront, a path that winds between the port and the heart of the city and that will allow you to discover suggestive corners and monuments that tell the story of Brindisi’s bond with the sea and its maritime tradition.
What to see in Brindisi
The visit route of the historic center of Brindisi begins with a relaxing walk on the Regina Margherita Seafront, one of the main streets of Brindisi that extends parallel to the Port.
Virgil Staircase and Roman Columns
The first monument you come across is the Virgil Staircase, named in honor of the great Latin poet who stayed and died here in 19 BC in a house on the side of the square.
Climbing up the steps you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the port of Brindisi and stop to observe one of the two majestic Roman Columns considered to be the terminals of the Appian Way.
You should know that one of the two columns fell to the ground in 1528 and the drums were donated in 1657 to the city of Lecce to erect a monument as a sign of devotion to Sant’Oronzo who freed the Salento peninsula from an epidemic of plague.
The Monument to the Sailors of Italy
One of the most significant points observing the city from the seafront is undoubtedly the Monument to the Sailors of Italy, erected in 1933 in memory of the sailors who died during the First World War. Its position, right on the dock, allows you to appreciate its grandeur in all its majesty, creating a solemn and reflective atmosphere for all those who approach it. The rudder-shaped monument measures 54 meters in height and from its terrace you can admire the entire city below.
The sculpture has inside the historical rooms in which you can see historical objects and finds and a photographic journey that traces all the phases from the construction to the inauguration of the Monument. On the square in front of the monument admire the two anchors and the two cannons dating back to some Austro-Hungarian submarines.
Cathedral of Brindisi
Always reach the third stop in Brindisi on foot: Piazza Duomo and the Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista. This church of ancient origins was built in 1143 but subsequently destroyed by the earthquake of 1743 and then rebuilt. Today in Piazza Duomo you can admire the facade with the statues of San Leucio, San Teodoro di Amasea, San Lorenzo da Brindisi and San Giustino de Jacobis, the Bell Tower from 1795 and on the other side the Bishop’s Palace and the Palazzo del Seminario.
Inside are preserved the remains of the Patron Saint of Brindisi, San Teodoro d’Amasea.
Curiosity: the cathedral of Brindisi has witnessed not only the crusaders and pilgrims who left to reach the Holy Land but it also hosted the second wedding of the Swabian Emperor Frederick II who on November 9, 1225 married the adolescent Jolanda of Brienne.
Piazza Santa Teresa
The fourth stop on this route is Piazza Santa Teresa where you can admire the Monument to the Fallen, created by the sculptor Edgardo Simone and the Fountain of the Empire or Monumental, built in 1940 by the Provincial Administration.
Don’t miss the nearby fishing area, where you can meet the craftsmen of nets and wooden boats.
Castello Svevo and other historic buildingsù
Finally, a short distance from the seafront, you can admire the Swabian Castle, a fortification that dates back to the 12th century and offers an impressive view of the city. Not far from the seafront, the Palazzo Granafei, an elegant building that reflects the Renaissance architectural style, is also worth a visit for history and art lovers.