Brindisi: gateway to the Orient
Description
Thanks to its natural and safe port Brindisi has always been a strategic city in the Mediterranean Sea. In the Roman time was connected with Rome thanks to the Appian Way (called the queen of the roads) passing from Taranto and with the Trajan Way (passing from Bari and Egnazia). Also during the Norman and Swabian domination was one of the main ports of embarkation for pilgrims and crusaders. From the opening of the Suez Canal to the 1st World War was the port of the Indian Mail Route (London-Brindisi-Bombay): a rail-maritime line run by the biggest European navigation company of the 19th century (Oriental Steam Navigation Company. During the tour we will visit some interesting churches such as S. Maria degli Angeli (made by San Lorenzo da Brindisi), St. Benedict (one of the most important Apulian Romanesque monument with the fine decorated portal and medieval cloister), the Norman temple of S. Giovanni al Sepolcro, the archeological site of San Pietro degli Schiavoni (under the theatre), Granafei Nervegna Palace (with the original capital of the terminal column of the Appian Way), Duomo square (with the cathedral, the seminary palace, the so called Portico of the Knights Templar), the terminal columns of the Appian Way and, down the steps of Virgilio, we will arrive at the promenade alongside the sea where we will enjoy the sun and the wind.
Some idea for changes to the itinerary
The itinerary can be modify / extended with some more church in the city center (Santa Maria degli Angeli made by San Lorenzo da Brindisi, San Paolo, Santa Lucia, etc. ) or in the surroundings (Santa Maria del Casale with Romanesque-Gothic style). We can also visit a winery (to taste some of the most interesting Apulian wines: Negramaro, Primitivo, Susumaniello, Salento Rosato, Malvasia Bianca, etc. ), an olive oil mill, a masseria (typical farmouse), a century old olive grove, we can enjoy a cheese or a chocolate tasting, etc. Men can choose a bespoke suit made in a tailor’s workshop in the city center. We can include Brindisi in a tour together with Lecce, Taranto, Ostuni, Mesagne, Oria, Francavilla Fontana, Carovigno, San Vito dei Normanni, the seaside natural park of Torre Guaceto, Manduria, Alberobello, etc. I can also organize a boat trip and/or a fishing excursion.