Brindisi

Brindisi, a former ancient Greek colony, remains an important city in Italy. During the Roman era, it served as a vibrant port and a key embarkation point for Greece and the East. In the Middle Ages, Brindisi was conquered by the Ostrogoths and later reclaimed by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. During the Crusades, Brindisi regained its episcopal seat, and a new cathedral and castle were constructed. In 1227, Emperor Frederick II departed for the Sixth Crusade from the port of Brindisi. The sovereignty of Brindisi was briefly transferred to Venice but soon fell under Spanish rule. In 1348, a plague epidemic devastated Brindisi, and it suffered looting in 1352 and 1382. In 1456, the city was struck by an earthquake.

During World War II, from September 1943 to February 1944, Brindisi served as the temporary seat of the Italian government. The port of Brindisi is one of the finest natural harbors in the Mediterranean, with intense maritime traffic. It is primarily used by passenger and vehicle ferries operating routes between Greece and Italy, along with the port of Bari.

• Torre Guaceto: The beach of Torre Guaceto is located in the municipality of Carovigno and is renowned for its high-quality sand. The sand here is white, sometimes even golden, and has a fine texture. The coastline of the beach is surrounded by sand dunes and occasionally adorned with dark rocks, while the water gradually deepens. In the area, there are natural treasures such as ancient olive trees, green turtles, rare amphibians, and birds.
• Costa Merlata: The beach of Costa Merlata, also known as Darcena, is a vast stretch of sandy coastline. The water here has a shallow depth for several meters. The beach area is closely supervised by professional lifeguards and is carefully cleaned.
• Specchiolla: The small seaside town of Specchiolla offers many beautiful beaches to its visitors. Spiaggia di Specchiolla is the central and most popular among them.
• Torre Pozzelle: The beach of Torre Pozzelle is located in a long and not very large cove, offering a swimming experience that resembles a spacious pool with clear waters. It is surrounded by pristine Mediterranean nature.

Some attractions you can visit in Brindisi are:

• The Roman Columns (Colonne Romana), which are a symbol of the city and showcase the ancient heritage of Brindisi.
• The "Francesco Ribezzo" Museum, where you can discover valuable archaeological findings and learn more about the history of the region.
• The Aragonese Castle (Castello Alfonsino di Brindisi), located on a small island across from the city's port.
• The Swabian Castle, a medieval fortress that serves as an important historical landmark of Brindisi.
• The Church of San Giovanni al Sepolcro, an impressive church with unique architecture.
• The Granafei Nervegna Palace, a stunning noble building with magnificent architecture.
• The Forte a Mare Island, a beautiful destination with breathtaking sea views.
• Piazza Duomo, the central square of Brindisi, where you can enjoy the city's atmosphere and visit the cathedral.

Ships depart regularly from Brindisi to the ports of Igoumenitsa and Corfu in mainland Greece. The duration of the ferry route from Brindisi to these destinations ranges from 6.5 to 9 hours. Additionally, Brindisi has direct ferry connections to Corfu and Kefalonia.

• Ferry routes Igoumenitsa - Brindisi: There is a daily ferry that operates on this route. During the summer, ferry schedules increase. The duration of the ferry trip from Brindisi to Igoumenitsa is approximately 8-9 hours.
• Ferry routes Corfu - Brindisi: From May to September, there are available ferry connections between the two destinations. The duration of the ferry trip from Brindisi to Corfu is approximately 6.5 - 7 hours.