Itinerary 1: THE CITY CENTRE TRAVELLING WEST

The Route

The Stages
Departing from Crispi Square which is at the Railway station, one turns left and heads towards "via Bastioni San Giorgio"; after approximately 400 meters, on the right you can admire (1) the "Bastions" - the defensive system of the XVI century (photo). On the external wall you will also see the coat of arms of Carlo V (Charles V). During certain periods of the year these premises are opened for public meetings, art exhibitions and other events. Arriving at "Porta Mesagne", this is one of the ancient main entrances to the city (photo); this ogee arched entrance is of Swebian origin which ages back to approximately 1243, the smaller entrance was built in the 1930's. Passing through the gate and turning right, you will find the ruins of the Roman aqueducts, called Vasche Limarie (photo). These tanks collected drinkable water by means of pipes running from a place named "Pozzo de Vito", which is 12 km away. The subsequent flow of water through several tanks, allowed for its cleansing by decantation, before distributing it to the cities many fountains. Leaving these tanks behind you, you will arrive in "via C.Colombo", and continue up until you reach "via della Libertà", where you will find on the left, the ancient Aragon walls, dating back to the mid XV century (photo).
A little ahead is the entrance to the (2) Swabian Castle (more info - photos), which was commissioned by Federico II in 1227; today it is a military centre and therefore not opened for tourist visits.
Continuing on "via dei Mille" and turning into the narrow lanes which lead into the historical centre (via Cittadella, via Monopoli), you will reach "via Marconi", where on the left is the (3) Church and the cloister of Saint Benedict, XI century (more info - photos).
Continuing on "via S.Benedetto" you can admire the antique architrave which rests on top of the doorway of the church of St. Anna, where inside, there are some beautiful frescos from XIV century.
Arriving at "via Carmine" you can admire the baroque style of the (4) Cafaro building (photo); leaving this palace on your right and continuing on this road, you will reach "Largo Angeli" where you will find the (5) church of St. Mary of Angels (more info - photos), which was commissioned on his family property by capuchin friar Julio Cesar Russo from Brindisi, who later become Saint Lawrence.
Continuing on "via Fornari", and turning into "via Vannini" and "via Pisanelli", you will come to (6) the Market Square, where characteristically, in Liberty style (photo), you will find stalls selling the fresh produce of Brindisi. Returning and crossing via F.Fornari and going through the little streets of "vico Scalese" and "via Palma" on the left you will reach "largo Concordia", where there is the beautiful renaissance (7) lodge of De Marco building (photo).
Continuing on "via Marco Pacuvio", turn left to approach the small square where is the characteristically circular construction of the (8) Temple of St. John (more info - photos)
Leaving the temple behind and following the road, you will arrive at "via G. Moricino" on "largo S.Paolo", where the (9) gothic church of St. Paul the Hermit (more info - photos) overlooks its square. Exiting this church, you will find "via de Vavotici" on the left and from here you will reach (10) St. Theresa Square, where you will see, in the centre of the square, the War Memorial (photo1 - photo2), to the fallen soldiers of world war I, built by the Brindisinian sculptor Edgardo Simone.
On the outer part of St. Theresa square, which is shaped in a half-circle, there is the Empire's Fountain (photo), constructed in 1940 by the then Provincial Government.
On the left of the square there is the Church of St. Theresa with the adjacent cloister, built in XV century as a convent, today this is the Records Office (more info - photos).
Off the side of the church, is the narrow street of "via Moricino", you will find the "case terranee". These characteristic, quaint homes were constructed for the modest folk of the city in 1714 (photo).
From "via De Leo" turn to the right to reach, what is referred to as the "living-room of the city", this is Duomo Square (Piazza Duomo): here you can be visit the (11) Cathedral (more info and photos), the (12) Diocesan Museum "G. Tarantini", located within the Seminary (photo), that hosts archaeological findings, old paintings, and the "Idria delle Nozze di Cana", which is one of the six marble vases, the last to have survived, in which Jesus made his first miracle: in these vases, Jesus turned water into wine during the wedding ceremony in Cana (more info and photo). Also you will find the silver ark that once contained the remains of St. Theodore, and a parchment paper signed by the emperor Frederick II.
Next the ancient Archbishops Library "A. De Leo", founded in 1798, that is home to over 60,000 books, most of which are of great historical importance. Opposite the Seminary you can see (13) the medieval (14th century) Loggia (lodge) of the Balsamo building, it probably housed the mint of the Angevin period (photo). The lodge has eight very fine arches whith house sculptured figures of persons and animals. On the right the (14) Archeological Museum "F. Ribezzo". At its entrance of the museum on the left is the stone arcade with its beautiful arches, which formed part of the De Cateniano family's residence from the XIV century (photo1 - photo2).
On the narrow street "via Santa Chiara" next the arcade, there is the former convent of St.Clair, (St. Chiara) today restored and opened to the public for art exhibitions and events. On the inside wall on the left side of the entrance there are burial epigraphs as well as Rodrigo De Valdez's coat of arms (photo), lord of the castle during 1584-85.
Crossing the pointed arch to the base of cathedral's bell tower, which was completed in 1795 (photo), and continuing on "via Colonne" it is possible to observe the facades of the Scolmafora building (on the right) and Perez building (on left - photo) before reaching the little square which is named after the famous (15) Roman or Harbour Column, the symbol of Brindisi (more info - photos). On the right of the square there is the epigraph to the remains of the house in which the Latin poet Virgil died (photo).
From here a beautiful panoramic view can be admired on the inner port (photo): forehead the Aragones Castle (more info - see Itinerary 4) and the Pigonati Channel, the East and West Coves of the inner port with the imposing Italian Sailors Monument (more info - see Itinerary 3).

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