Visit Brindisi : the complete guide

Visiting Brindisi is a tasty and fascinating journey between the different cultures that have coexisted here for centuries. Each of which has left traces of its passage, making the history of the city unique..

Brindisi is an ancient city, home to one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean. Ancient crossroads of peoples and cultures, natural meeting point between East and West. With its beauty it has inspired thousands of travelers of every era. In fact, the history of ancient Brindisium was strongly influenced by the strategic position of its natural port. A morphology that resembles the head of a deer: a unique characteristic that has made it impregnable for centuries. Visiting Brindisi and walking through the streets of the historic center will be like returning to the era in which these places were a crossroads of civilizations and people. In fact, Brindisi represented the point of reference for pilgrimages to the Holy Land and the commercial exchanges that involved the entire East. Iconic is the Virgil staircase dedicated to the Latin poet who settled there on his return from the East. Brindisi is called "The Gateway to the East" and this is the complete guide to discover and learn about the artistic and architectural heritage that fully reflects its thousand-year history.

Y If these places fascinate you, you can visit Brindisi with one of our tours in Puglia::

⇒ The Via Ellenica in the Land of Olives

What to see in Brindisi

Why not decide to spend a carefree day to discover the beauties of this fascinating city overlooking the Adriatic but looking towards the east. 
If you want to spend a day visiting Brindisi, we have prepared a list of things to see and visit in peace:

• Basilica della Visitazione;
• San Giovanni al Sepolcro;
• Alfonsino Castle;
• Church of San Benedetto;
• Church of Santa Maria del Casale;

And now let's start together to discover the most suggestive places in Brindisi!

Basilica della Visitazione

A city guide that allows you to visit Brindisi and its most iconic places can only start from the beautiful Cathedral. Consecrated by Pope Umberto I in 1089, and then completed in 1143 following the canons of Romanesque architecture, it represents a fundamental stage in the medieval history of the Old Continent.
In fact, in 1191, Roger - son of Tancredi - was crowned king of Sicily there.
It is also said that the crusaders united in prayer right here, before heading towards the Holy Land. Unfortunately, very little remains of the original structure, which was destroyed after the earthquake that hit the city on 20 February 1743. In fact, today you can admire the three-nave plan of the Romanesque church and other architectural features.

San Giovanni al Sepolcro

The monument was built by the chivalric order of Canons Regular of the Holy Sepulcher before 1128. The church went through a period of abandonment and degradation until it became the property of the municipality in 1868.
It represents the close link between Brindisi and the Holy Land during the period of the Crusades. The building was in fact created to be a copy of the Rotunda of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The intent was to leave a memory for those returning to Brindisi after having made the pilgrimage and to give the opportunity to see the holy places in person.
The structure has a circular plan cut to the east by a straight wall. The eight columns of the central ring are connected to the perimeter walls by round arches. The paintings inside refer to the Byzantine tradition on which further more modern decorations have been superimposed. The graffiti present both inside and outside is particularly evocative. They tell of the passage of pilgrims, knights and simple men who wanted to leave an indelible mark on the walls of this building which today, as then, transmits strong emotions.

Alfonsino Castle

The Alfonsino Castle has represented for years a defensive bulwark for the entire West in contrast to Ottoman expansionism. In 1481, as the Turkish fleets rattled Otranto, Ferrante of Aragon made the decision to build a fortress to guard the port of Brindisi. 4 years later, Ferrante's son, Alfonso, transformed the tower into a real castle already considered at the time a true masterpiece of defense architecture.
The construction of the sea fort dates back to the second half of the 16th century, as was already indicated in that period to distinguish it from the land castle.

Church of San Benedetto

The Church of San Benedetto was built between the end of the 11th and the beginning of the 12th century when the city and much of the south was under Norman rule.
The cloister and bell tower are preserved from the original building, while the convent in front was restored in the 18th century. The imposing structure is a typical example of Romanesque art although its current appearance is completely different from the original one. In fact, the facade is no longer visible and the portal was dismantled and rebuilt on the side wall where it is still visible today. The entire external perimeter is composed of a sequence of blind arches that frame single-lancet windows decorated with white stone and golden carparo. The ancient 11th century portal is finely decorated with wickerwork and small engravings.

Church of Santa Maria al Casale

According to tradition, the church was built in Roman-Gothic style during the 13th century, in the place where Saint Francis of Assisi would have gathered in prayer upon returning from his pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
The interior houses a wonderful cycle of precious and refined Byzantine frescoes, some of which were signed by Rinaldo da Taranto. The precious works emerged after more than two centuries thanks to delicate restoration work.
To increase the aura of charm and mystery that surrounds the structure, the episode has been handed down according to which in 1310 Santa Maria del Casale was the scene of the trial for heresy and idolatry against the Templars.

What to do in Brindisi - the Slow Active Tours proposal

What to do in Brindisi - the Slow Active Tours proposal Visiting Brindisi allows you to discover the wonders hidden in the streets of the historic center, such as the neighborhoods perched on the port that have become real fishing villages. The time has come to get to the heart of the sounds and smells of the gateway to the East.

• History Digital Library

  The History Digital Library is a community library located in the “Casa del Turista” headquarters on the Brindisi seafront. An innovative library conceived as a space to learn and participate in historical themed events.
The building is divided into two floors: on the first floor we find the Book Experience, a sensorial journey aimed at stimulating knowledge of the materials and tools used before the appearance of printing. The Community Library has been set up on the second floor, equipped with technological supports and book collections.

• Provincial Archaeological Museum "F. Ribezzo"

  Point of reference for local archeology due to the numerous finds from the city excavations. Inside it houses elements of international prestige and uniqueness such as the Portico of the Knights Templar which serves as the entrance to the museum itself. The new headquarters, inaugurated in the first months of 2009, develops through a path that unfolds on two floors which allow the visitor to discover the civilizations that followed one another in the occupation of the territory, from prehistory to the Roman period..

• Archaeological Area of ​​San Pietro degli Schiavoni

  The Roman area, which emerged between 1964 and 1966, takes its name from the Church of San Pietro of which no trace remains and from the Schiavoni, the people who inhabited the area starting from the sixteenth century together with Greeks and Albanians.
As often happens, the discoveries occurred accidentally during a house demolition. This brought to light an area of ​​approximately 4800 square meters, a part visible below the New Municipal Theatre. The entire area has the characteristic of being crossed by a paved road, the cornerstone of the urban plan of Roman Brindisi. Another important element is the spa structure from the late imperial age characterized by several heated rooms and an environment with a marble floor.

• Palazzina del Belvedere - S. Faldetta Archaeological Collection

  It takes its name from the splendid terrace overlooking the Brindisi seafront and preserves important archaeological evidence from all over the Apulian territory. Including different varieties of ceramics of Messapian, Mycenaean, Corinthian and Attic production. The collection also includes several specimens with unique characteristics, such as a bell-shaped crater of proto-Apulian origin from the 4th century BC which the prof. Arthur Trendall attributes it to the Tarporley Painter

• Walking on the Via Hellenica

  Slow Active Tours offers an exciting and intriguing walking journey to discover the hidden beauties of Puglia from the hinterland to the Adriatic coast.

Festival and Popular Events of Brindisi

Visiting Brindisi is an opportunity to learn about and take part in the numerous festivals and popular festivals that enrich the folklore of this region. The Procession of the Paraded Horse takes place in June on the occasion of Corpus Domini. On that occasion the bishop of the city carries the Eucharist in procession through the streets of the historic center riding a "paraded" white horse. According to legend, the French king Louis IX was taken prisoner in Egypt during a battle in 1250. Leaving the Eucharist as a pledge, he reached Brindisi where Frederick II minted the money necessary to free him. Returning to Egypt, the king of France was freed by Saladin who also returned the Eucharist to the monarch as a sign of gratitude. Returning from Egypt, Louis IX was hit by a storm and was forced to stop a few kilometers south of Brindisi, at which point the elderly bishop Peter joined him on a white horse carrying the Eucharist into the city.
The patronal feast of Brindisi takes place from the last Sunday of August to the first days of September. For the occasion, the typical craft and gastronomy stalls enrich the streets of the Corso against the backdrop of the spectacle of illuminations. Not to be missed is undoubtedly the sea procession of the statues of S. Lorenzo and S. Teodoro, patron saints of the city, which are transported on board a boat between the Alfonsino Castle and the center quay. The procession at sea wants to remember the miraculous arrival of the remains of San Teodoro in Brindisi. In fact, it is said that in 1210 some Venetian sailors were forced to entrust the remains of the saint to a boat without a helmsman because they were chased by enemy ships. The remains of San Teodoro reached the coasts of the city, pushed by the current, where they were welcomed and venerated as a sign of gratitude towards the saint's desire to provide his protection to the people of Brindisi. The Palio dell'Arca is a competition between small fishing boats, in Schifarieddi dialect, which are very reminiscent of those that accompanied the entry into the port of the remains of San Teodoro.

Typical dishes of Brindisi

The cuisine of Brindisi is frank and genuine, a perfect mix of land and sea that cannot be missing from the list of things to do when visiting Brindisi.
Fresh pasta, strictly handmade, is undoubtedly the queen of typical Apulian cuisine, and even more so of Brindisi.
A delicacy to be tasted are the handmade trasciati, simply seasoned with tomato sauce and cacio ricotta. The Brindisi artichoke, protected by the PGI quality mark, is a fundamental ingredient in many typical local recipes. Its unmistakable purple and thornless appearance makes it the special ingredient of a delicious recipe. We are talking about stuffed artichokes, a simple and quick recipe, with a poor origin but a refined taste that enhances the goodness of the product. In fact, after blanching the artichoke, a soft and consistent mixture made of bread, grated cheese, egg, oil and herbs is added and the cooking is left to finish. Fava bean purée is another typical dish with an ancient tradition. In fact, just think that in dialect this dish is known as ncapriata, a Latin adaptation of caporidia which in turn derived from the Greek kapyridia, which indicated polenta made with crushed wheat. In some areas of Puglia, fava beans are accompanied with seafood, aubergines or wild onions. In the Brindisi area, however, they are enjoyed together with chicory in a cross between the sweetness of the fava beans and the bitter notes of the chicory.

Eating and drinking in Brindisi

Among the many restaurants in the center of Brindisi, we recommend some that are worth trying:
Cascipò , in S. Benedetto street 45. Traditional, elegant restaurant with delicious fish-based cuisine a few steps from the port and the cathedral of Brindisi.;
La Locanda del Porto , in Montenegro Street, 20. Suggestive location on the street with a glimpse of the Brindisi sea. The starter with 10 typical courses is recommended, very good!;
Vinoteca Numero Primo , in Viale Regina Margherita, 46. Excellent wine bar overlooking the port of Brindisi. You can also eat outside. It offers excellent wine and excellent food. !

Brindisi awaits you for a tour full of art and taste!