extend your city walk
These extra places of interest are located in the Southern part of the city centre. You could visit them after seeing the more famous sites.
via lata
Due to the Southern Sirocco winds this small hill, overlooking the West Cove of the harbour, was the less healthy area in Brindisi. Nevertheless, on this higher ground, the Romans found a suitable place to build Via Lata. During the centuries the street has housed several aristocratic mansions, still recognisable today by their emblems placed on the portals. Here you can find some B&B's useful to stay for some days and visit the city and its surroundings.
chiesa di santa Lucia
The Church of St. Lucy or "of the Holy Trinity", was built in the XI century with a facade in a typical Romanesque style . The upper church has 3 navas where you can see some quite interesting XIII- and XIV century frescos. You may also see paintings like the "Martyrdom of St. Lucy" and the XVI century polyptich of the "Madonna del dolce canto" (Our Lady of "Sweet Singing").
During the XIII century the Convent of Penitents was built besides the church.
In the VIII century crypt you can find fine frescos of particular interest, like St. Nichols "History of St. Peter from Verona", "Magdalena Mirrifora" (symbol of Penitents) and the "Kyriotissa" (Our Lady on the Throne with Jesus). The crypt is divided into 4 parts by means of 4 columns with capitals,
Opening times
The church is usually open every day from 9 am to 12 pm and from 5 pm to 7 pm.
However times may vary depending the season and on holidays.
chiesa del cristo dei domenicani
This is an unusual but beautiful Church. It is a little out of the way; near the ancient wall of the town in the area of Porta Lecce. But it is different and quite attractive despite the graffitti on the walls. The church was built in 1232, at the behest of Nicolò Pagliai, Saint Dominic’s disciple. It has a rose window, made up of concentric bands with plant motifs and a circle of 16 columns. Outside the circumference, you can observe another micircle showing nature elements and ending with two columns. At the top of them, on the capitals, two eagles are based , while at the base you can notice some strange and unreal images. Inside the church there is the sculpture of the Virgin of Light ("Lux Mundi"), and, on the altar, a wooden crucifix, both dating back to 1200.
Legends of the wooden crucifix and the Virgin of Light
According to the legend, the crucifix arrived in Brindisi on board of a ship belonging to the Venetian Giovanni Cappello (1497-1559). He came from Alexandria in Egypt and it was a forced landing. Therefore the crucifix was temporarily exhibited in the church, but when the ship was ready to depart, Giovanni was not able to remove it anymore and the Venetian had to be content with taking with him only the forefinger of Christ’s right hand. The Virgin of the Light is also known as the Virgin of the pisara. The legend tells that the Virgin punished an outrage suffered by a French soldier by using a pisara, a heavy farm tool in stone.
Opening times
The church is usually open every day from 9 am to 12 pm and from 5 pm to 7 pm.
However times may vary depending the season and on holidays
porta lecce (bastione di levante)
This historic entrance gate was built in the year 1464 by Ferdinand II of Aragón and it was reinforced by Charles V in 1530. The emperor added his coat of arms, the one of the artist Ferdinando Alarcone and the emblem of Brindisi city. In the year 1859 Porta Lecce was in danger of being demolished because of water leaks, luckily this ended well.
how to get to these extra places
These extra places of interest are located in the Southern part of the Brindisi city centre, best accessible on foot . You can grab them after seeing the more famous sites, for example starting from Palazzo Granafei-Nervegna.
Via Lata
Chiesa di Santa Lucia
Chiesa del Cristo dei Domenicani
Porta Lecce (Bastione di Levante)