On the southeast side of Italy, right off a harbor that empties into the Adriatic Sea, is the charming seaside town of Brindisi. The city has an electric air about it as it is constantly experiencing the coming and going of sea vessels in the harbor. Whether you are planning to stay for a day or several and are a party of four or a party of one, this enchanting town is home to a number of exciting activities delightfully unique to this area of Italy.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

The port city of Brindisi is home to several popular and well-attended festivals throughout the year. Many of the festivals have roots in either religion, history, and/or cuisine.

In June, the Negroamaro Wine Festival is held in the city. The event is a fantastic city-wide celebration of wine. The city streets are typically lined with booths for wine and food tasting. Music fills the air and locals and visitors alike enjoy participating in this celebration of a locally grown grape that is often the key ingredient for local wines.

The first large religious celebration of the year, Processione del Cavallo Parato, takes place roughly two months after Easter on the Feast of Corpus Christi. This religious celebration is actually a procession through the city streets for which there are usually hundreds of spectators. The procession begins with the bishop atop a majestic horse that is surrounded and followed by others as he proceeds through the streets. The name of the festival itself means procession of the decorated horse and is a religious ceremony the locals look forward to each year. Long after the procession concludes, people celebrate late into the evening with music and good food.

Another highly popular religious festival in Brindisi is the Processione a Mare. This August and September event is dedicated to the two patron saints of the city, San Teodoro d’Amasea and San Lorenzo da Brindisi. This unusual procession generally begins at Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi, also known as the Aragonese Castle, where statues of the saints are removed and put onto a boat.

The boat crosses the port with the statues aboard with many other boats following in their wake. Hundreds of people gather at the shoreline to behold the celebration. Eventually the statues are transported to the main cathedral in the city. This is a joyous event with much celebration and music flooding the streets of Brindisi. The celebrations are accompanied by small stands in the city center where visitors can purchase local food and other products.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

There is no other experience quite like touring the Brindisi port. This port city is constantly humming with activity due to commercial shipping and fishing. By walking the border of the harbor, visitors are able to take in the vast number and designs of boats coming and going from the Adriatic Sea, as well as other sightseeing landmarks such as the local naval base, some shipping operations, and the Monument to Italian Sailors.

Another unique way to see the Adriatic Sea is to walk along the Diga di Punta Riso. Although a narrow walkway at some points, the path opens up and stretches for quite some distance out into the water, making one feel as though they are a part of the surrounding sights, sounds, and smell of the sea. This is a particularly nice activity to do for some reflection or as a romantic outing with a loved one.

The Piazza Santa Teresa is a square in the older part of Brindisi next to the promenade and harbor. As you approach the harbor from the square, a magnificent stone walkway complete with a coat of arms that is bricked into the ground leads up to a gorgeous statue that stands tall amongst some greenery that surrounds it. The statue is a World War I memorial by Brindisi sculptor Edgardo Simone. Just beyond the statue is a stunning view into the harbor.

Lovers of history should make a point to stop by the archeological area located in Via Casimiro. Here, it is possible to admire the ruins of a Roman public building as well as fragments of Roman floors and the remains of the Basilica of San Pelino. Other Roman ruins, including mosaic floors and the remains of a Roman Bath, can be admired in the archeological area of the Church of San Pietro degli Schiavoni.

To get to know the older part of the current city, stop by some of the surviving city gates, such as Porta Lecce and Porta Mesagne. The latter is the oldest entryway into the city and was constructed under the orders of Frederick II. Both gates were part of the city’s defensive system for centuries.

For travelers looking to enjoy the greener side of Italy, there is much nature to be enjoyed around Brindisi. Just north of the city lies the protected Torre Guaceto Marine Area. Underground springs ensure that the water here is always fresh, while natural formations such as dunes, islets, and coves add to the area’s allure. It is also not uncommon to catch glimpses of the local wildlife, such as turtles and dolphins.

Travelers should also consider visiting the Dune Costiere da Torre Canne Regional Park. Located along the coast, the vast scenery of the park consists of beaches punctuated with dunes, historic olive groves, and wetlands.

For the best birdwatching, head to the Saline of Punta della Contessa. From the thirteenth to the eighteenth century, this site produced salt for the people of Brindisi. Though it no longer produces salt, the area now attracts a stunning array of migratory birds, including swans, herons, and flamingos.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

The Brindisi Archaeological Museum sits next to the cathedral in the heart of the city. The museum is not just a visual representation of the city’s history, but also includes wonderful finds that were excavated from the Brindisi harbor, port, and surrounding areas. Many of these exhibits include ancient bronze and stone statues, weaponry, glassware, ceramics, and coins.

The Pontificia Basilica Cattedrale is the cathedral of the city and is also referred to as the Brindisi Cathedral. The ancient structure sits on a square amongst several other buildings including the Brindisi Archaeological Museum. Construction began under the leadership of Pope Urban II in the eleventh century, though the church was not completed until the twelfth century. The building itself is a work of art with Romanesque attributes on the exterior such as arched entryways and arched lookouts from a bell tower. Statues are a focal point for the basilica as they are seemingly woven into the brickwork on the front of the building and there are several more that sit atop the building.

Though it is one of the city’s newer monuments, the Palazzina del Belvedere is always a favorite among visitors to Brindisi. Completed in 1931, this building hosts fascinating archeological artifacts, though its true allure lies in the panoramic viewpoint, called belvedere in Italian, that offers stunning views of the harbor and blue waters of the coast.

FAMILIES ACTIVITIES

One of the best ways to take in the culture of Brindisi is to meander through the port city’s markets. It is fairly common to see small tents set up and lining either side of the street when a market is open. People are often milling about to check out a variety of food and wares. While food generally consists of fruits, vegetables, or seafood for sale, the spectrum of general wares is vast and is an eclectic collection. A tour through a Brindisi market stimulates all the senses with the smell of food lingering in the air, the noise of locals and tourists as they barter and negotiate, and the bright colors of food and wares for sale.

The Swabian Castle of Brindisi is a stunning ancient structure located just off the water. The castle was commissioned by Frederick II in the thirteenth century. Since that time, the castle has been used primarily as a naval base during recent world wars, and as a naval command base thereafter. Because of its important role in the past of protecting the city, visitor access is somewhat limited.

KIDS ACTIVITIES

The Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi is an important historical castle for the area. Also known as the Aragonese Castle, the circa sixteenth century structure is located on the northern edge of the port and was built as a fortress to provide protection to the area. The castle is known to have two main parts. The so-called red castle is generally named after the color of brick from which it was built. The other part of the castle is often referred to as the Fortress because of its key role in protecting the port. This structure stretches out into the water and from some angles almost appears to be floating on the water.

The Parco Urbano del Cillarese is a lovely choice for a family with young children. Located at the western edge of the port, the park offers a playground, ponds, and even some walking trails. The park is an excellent escape to nature from the business of the port and the heart of the city.

If the children still have energy left, climbing the wide steps to the Roman Column in the heart of town is a wonderful option. The column is approximately sixty-two feet tall and is quite a sight to behold in the open-air square. The children are free to climb up and down the massive stairway and see how tall they are next to this impressive piece of architecture.

For a relaxing day, plan to visit one of the beaches along Brindisi’s six miles of coastline. In addition to soaking up the sun, the public and private beaches feature rocky coves and dramatic cliffs just waiting to be explored.

ONLY IN BRINDISI

The Monument to Italian Sailors, located just off the port, is a hauntingly beautiful memorial. The twentieth century structure is appropriately nicknamed The Rudder because it mirrors that of the rudder of a ship. At more than one hundred seventy feet it is hard to miss and is dedicated to the fallen. Although the history and exterior of the building is something to behold in and of itself, if time allows, visitors should consider climbing the six circular staircases inside the monument that lead to outstanding sky views of the city of Brindisi.

When taking in the harbor and waters of the Adriatic Sea that hug the coast of Brindisi, perhaps one of the best locations to do so is the city’s main promenade. The walkway connects the Via Dorotea and the Virgil Monument and allows visitors to leisurely enjoy all the sights and smells of harbor life. This can be a great family activity or even a quiet romantic evening outing for two.

Plan your next trip to the gorgeous port city of Brindisi and lose yourself in the seaside culture and slower pace of life. There is much to enjoy along the waters of Brindisi, and it is calling out to you.