Brindisi has always been considered the gateway to the East thanks to its strategic location.
It was a Messapian centre in the 8th century B.C. and reached a great importance under the Roman Empire becoming the main port for the Eastern Routes. In effect, 2 major roads were built to connect Rome directly to Brindisi: the Via Appia in the 2nd B.C and the Via Traiana in the 2nd A.D.
It was dominated several times after the fall of the Roman Empire, like the rest of Puglia, until the arrival of Normans when trade flourished again and it had a significant role during the age of the Crusaders as embarkation point for the pilgrims headed to the Holy Land.
Brindisi has a commercial and maritime nature and preserves monuments commemorating its history:
– the Archaeological Area of San Pietro degli Schiavoni, a Roman complex with remains of a house, a paved path and Roman baths;
– the Roman columns are situated on the port, one is still existing while the other one, after the collapse, was donated to create the Column of St. Oronzo in the city of Lecce;
– Granafei Nervegna Palace, that houses floor mosaics from the Roman period and the authentic capital of the Roman Column;
– the Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro, a round-shaped temple erected by the Templar Knights in the 11th century;
– the Swabian Castle commissioned by Federico II and located on the west side of the port;
– the Aragonese Castle, also known as Alfonsino, stands on Sant’Andrea island.
viaggieitinerari... in Puglia by Valeria Dicarlo 