Brindisi

is the capital of the Brindisi Province and it is situated along the

southern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The city is located between the

deep inlets which make Brindisi one of the most important natural

ports in the Mediterranean Sea. Brindisi has very ancient origins and

its historic relevance is proved by the direct connection to Rome

through the Via Appia, the first cobbled road in the Roman Empire.

The

city still remains a major harbour for trade with Greece and the

Middle East, but of the Roman Brindisi very little has unfortunately

left: of the two “Roman Columns”, which marked the end of the Via

Appia, only one still remains since the other was donated by the

citizens of Brindisi to the city of Lecce as a pedestal for the

Statue of the saint patron S. Oronzo.

The

Column is located at the top of a staircase facing the city’s

harbour and it introduces to the heart of the city for a visit to the

Cathedral, its square, the charming promenades flanked with shops,

cafè, bars and fish restaurants. Walking along the waterfront

(Lungomare) it is possible to admire some characteristic features of

Brindisi such as the imposing building erected after the First World

War as an Italian Navy War Memorial and a castle of great scenic

impact situated on one side of the harbour; another fascinating

fortress is located at the mouth of the port (Forte a Mare). Both

castles are a fine example of an eventful past of the city, even if

its most important period was between 1943 and 1944, when Brindisi

became the Capital of Italy for five months.

The

litoral is mainly rocky with little inlets but a few kilometers north

of the city the coast becomes sandy with the long beaches of Torre

Guaceto, an important wetland large about 1000 hectars, now WWF

natural protected area.

The

inland is particularly appreciated for its unique Valle D'Itria

setting, the marvellous Ostuni (known as the “Città Bianca” for

its white charming houses) and the suggestive Cisternino, a natural

balcon overlooking the plains until the city of Taranto.