Established in 1927, the small province of Brindisi has a total area of 1,839 sq km and 402,422 residents as of the 2001 census data. Its territory starts includes the Messapian plain up to the southern Murge hills and bordering between the Salentina peninsula and the Roman Apulia.A magnificent city of Puglia (in the Italian region), Brindisi is the capital of the Brindisi province.Brindisi is the birthplace of the great Pacuvius the poet (220 BCE); it was also in Brindisi where the equally famous poet Virgil died (19 BCE). During the Roman rule, Brundisium was a large active port and the chief point of embarkation for the East as well as Greece. Brindisi is connected to Rome by Via Traiana and Via Appia.Brindisi has been conquered by Ostrogoths and the Byzantine  Empire, demolished by the Lombards, became Byzantine possession again, captured by the Normans, ruled by Venice, became a Spanish colony, struck by plague and an earthquake, fell to Austrian rule and later the Buorbons, and eventually became temporary capital of Italy.

Brindisi used to be called Brundisium. Nevertheless, it is important to note the significant role Brindisi played in the Roman history. Who could ever forget that the great Port of Brindisi signifies the end of the Appian Way. Spartacus was double-crossed in this same Appian Way as no ships were actually waiting there and the Appian Way’s end was not paved with gold but with dead bodies the Roman soldiers toyed their swords with.

Nowadays there is still some portion of the famous Appian Way that exists. Hundreds of tourist and locals travel through it daily never even realizing its significance. The original one-and-a-half-mile stretch of Via Appia has already been paved with asphalt but remains to be a major thoroughfare in the city. It would be a memorable experience to witness the “way’s” reemergence in downtown Brindisi as it has been enhanced by large steps and the actual remains of two Roman columns which actually signified the end of the historically important trading route back ages ago.

Another historic site to visit before leaving this small city in the Adriatic Coast are the Roman columns. Tourists never fail to notice that there remains only one full column and merely a quarter of the other atop the steps marking the end of the Appian Way.

For a good finale in your list of historical sites to go to during your getaway to Brindisi, do not fail to take pictures of yourself with the Chiesa di Santa Maria Casale behind. What used to have a fourteenth-century Romanesque theme, the Chiesa di Santa Maria Casale is now a mixture of Byzantine and Baroque influences. Its interior shows an intricate display of columns, arches, and mosaics, all worthy of your camera’s shot. Religious devotees can likewise visit more similarly Romanesque-themed churches in the city.

Because of the city’s alluring bays from sandy to rocky beaches, Brindisi is one of the world’s best tourist destinations. The city has a wide cultivation of olive trees and vineyards producing mainly high-quality tomatoes, artichokes, and watermelons for Italy as well as for export the world over.

Getting to Brindisi is not quite a problem as the city is easily accessible. Papola-Casale Airports is based in Brindisi and has regular flights to and from the city itself. The airport itself is accessible as it is only approximately six kilometers from the city’s center. As a major ferry port, Brindisi has routes to and from Greece as well other neighboring cities.  As such, tourists from all over the world make their dream voyages across the Adriatic Sea to witness the exhilarating beauty of the city of Brindisi.
As with all tourist destinations, aside from the Roman columns and the ancient churches that the city has to offer, Brindisi also has its own selection of cafés and restaurants to satisfy a wide variety of travelers’ tastes. Conforming to the city as a major travel destination, travel agencies swarm the city’s center and city’s port is never idle and quiet.

If you are looking for the best hotel accommodations, Brindisi boasts of four- and three-star hotels that will surely make you feel like you’ve never left home at all. After an exhaustive day roaming the city, one can spend a relaxing night at the Minerva HotelBrindisi or the Blue Rose Hotel Brindisi, the city’s famous three-star hotels. Or if you’re one who would love to end the day with a nice cup of coffee while looking over the breathtaking view of the city at your hotel’s terrace, the Majestic Hotel Brindisi, which is the city’s only four-star hotel, will be perfect for you.

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