Check out the fantastic beaches such as Lido Azzurro and enjoy some sunbathing and relaxation.

Brindisi is a city in the region of Apulia in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Brindisi, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Historically, the city has played an important role in trade and culture, due to its strategic position on the Italian Peninsula and its natural port on the Adriatic Sea. The city remains a major port for trade with Greece and the Middle East. Its industries include agriculture, chemical works, and the generation of electricity.

HIGLIGHTS

Brindisi is an important city on the Adriatic coast of Southern Italy in the Apulia region and has a current population of just over 88,000. This natural port has played a major historical role in the development of this region of Italy due to its strategic position and active trade with Greece and other nations across the Adriatic Sea. This city has a varied economy that is based on agriculture, chemical processing and electricity generation, plus its commercial port activities.

Historically, legend has it that Brindisi was founded by the epic hero Diomedes but records show that it has seen some form of settlement since ancient Roman and Greek times. Due to its prominent position on the Adriatic coast, throughout its history Brindisi has been ruled by various empires and kingdoms including the Ostrogoths, Lombards and Kings of Sicily. During WW2, the city even served as the temporary capital of Italy and hosted King Victor Emmanuel III. Today Brindisi remains an important place on the eastern coast and its varied economy make it one of the prime cities in the Apulia region

The city of Brindisi was the provisional government seat of the Kingdom of Italy from September 1943 to February 1944.

The territory of Brindisi is characterised by a wide flat area from which emerge sub deposits of limestone and sand of marine origin, which in turn have a deeper level clay of the Pleistocene era, and an even later Mesozoic carbonate composed of limestone and soils. The development of agriculture, has caused an increase in the use of water resources resulting in an increase of indiscriminate use.

Main sights

• The Castello Svevo or Castello Grande (“Hohenstaufen Castle” or “Large Castle”), built by Emperor Frederick II. It has a trapezoid plan with massive square towers. Under the Crown of Aragon four towers were added to the original 13th-century structure. After centuries of being abandoned, in 1813 Joachim Murat turned it into a prison; after 1909 it was used by the Italian Navy. During World War II it was briefly the residence of King Victor Emmanuel III.
• The Aragonese Castle, best known as Forte a Mare (“Sea Fort”). It was built by King Ferdinand I of Naples in 1491 on the S. Andrea island facing the port. It is divided into two sections: the “Red Castle” (from the color of its bricks) and the more recent Fort.
• Two ancient Roman pillars, symbols of Brindisi. They were once thought to mark the ending points of the Appian Way, instead they were used as a port reference for the antique mariners. Only one of the two, standing at 18.74 metres (61.5 ft), is still visible. The other crumbled in 1582, and the ruins was given to Lecce to hold the statue of Saint Oronzo (Lecce’s patron), because Saint Oronzo was reputed to have cured the plague in Brindisi.
• the Duomo (cathedral), built in Romanesque style in the 11th–12th centuries. What is visible today is the 18th-century reconstruction, after the original was destroyed by an earthquake on 20 February 1743. Parts of the original mosaic pavement can be seen in the interior.
• Church of Santa Maria del Casale (late 13th century), in Gothic-Romanesque style. The façade has a geometrical pattern of gray and yellow stones, with an entrance cusp-covered portico. The interior has early-14th-century frescoes including, in the counter-façade, a Last Judgement in four sections, by Rinaldo da Taranto. They are in late-Byzantine style.
• Church of San Benedetto, in Romanesque style. Perhaps built before the 11th century as part of a Benedictine nunnery, it has a massive bell tower with triple-mullioned windows and Lombard bands. A side portal is decorated with 11th-century motifs, while the interior has a nave covered by cross vaults, while the aisles, separated by columns with Romanesque capitals, have half-barrel vaults. The cloister (11th century) has decorated capitals.
• Portico of the Templars (13th century). Despite the name, it was in reality the loggia of the bishop’s palace. It is now the entrance to the Museo Ribezzo.
• the Fontana Grande (Grand Fountain), built by the Romans on the Appian Way. It was restored in 1192 by Tancred of Lecce.
• Piazza della Vittoria (Victory Square). It has a 17th-century fountain.
• Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (1609).
• Church of the Sacred Heart.
• Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro, with circular plan, dating from the 12th century.
• Church of the Santissima Trinità (or Santa Lucia, 14th century). It has a late 12th-century crypt.
• the Monument to Italian Sailors

Natural areas

Within the territory of the town of Brindisi environmental protected areas are located, some newly established:

• The Regional Natural Park of Punta della Contessa Salt: wetland of 87 hectares (214 acres) between Capo di Torre Cavallo and Punta della Contessa
• The Regional Nature Reserve Forest Cerano: a protected natural area that falls within the territory of Brindisi and San Pietro Vernotico;
• The Regional Nature Reserve Bosco of Santa Teresa and Lucci: it is a protected natural area composed of two forests whose name it bears. With the EU Directive 92/43 EEC, was included in the list of Sites of Community Importance (SCI) ;
• The Marine Nature Reserve Guaceto Tower: falling mostly in the municipality of Carovigno, are managed by a consortium which includes the municipalities of Brindisi, Carovigno and the WWF.

Brindisi Port

Brindisi is a thriving port and the inlet of water that spans from the Adriatic Sea is surrounded by piers, harbours, ports and stations for commercial and public shipping activities.

This whole area is hugely interesting and a great place to simply walk and explore.

The Via del mare for example offers great views across to part of the commercial shipping docks, whilst the Via Ettore Ciciriello allows views of the Naval base and some of the smaller shipping operations.

On the opposite side of the port you can find the Monument to the Italian Soldiers and further north is the fantastic Marina where you can find a host of quaint fishing and sailing boats.

Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi

Constructed in the 16th century, the castle served as a defensive fortification and protection for the entrance of the port of Brindisi.

The structure features a myriad of different towers, keeps and walkways and the battlements offer fantastic views of the port and the Adriatic Sea.

Pontificia Basilica Cattedrale

Brindisi Cathedral is the main religious structure in the city and has actually been consecrated as a Basilica by Pope Urban II in the 11th century.

Located in the heart of the old town, this cathedral has an unusual exterior and sits in a charming square next to several other historical structures.

The style of the cathedral is Romanesque and the front façade contains an ornate bell tower and a series of opulent stone statues.