Monument to the Sailor in Brindisi: History, Crypt and Views over the Harbour
Visit the Monument to the Italian Sailor, Brindisi’s most impressive panoramic viewpoint. From the 68-meter-high terrace you can enjoy views of the harbor, Castello Alfonsino, and the historic center, while also exploring the Naval Museum and the memorial crypt.
If you want to see Brindisi from above, the Monument to the Italian Sailor is the best viewpoint in the city. During my visit, I could see the entire port, the historic center, the Castello Alfonsino, and the constant movement of ships and planes that define Brindisi. Entry costs 3 euros. It's easily reachable from the center by public motorboat. Inside, there's a small Navy museum and a crypt-shrine for fallen sailors.
Standing 68 meters tall, the Monument to the Italian Sailor is visible from much of the port. It has the unusual shape of a giant ship's wheel. It's located in the Casale neighborhood and is made of reinforced concrete covered with local golden carparo stone.
From its top, you get a full panoramic view of Brindisi. The entire inner port is visible, with cruise ships and yachts docking along the historic center's waterfront. On the opposite quay, in the Fishermen's Village of Casale, fishing boats dock right at the Monument's base. On clear days, you can see all the way to Albania's mountains across the open sea. The Castello Alfonsino stands out, appearing to float on water since it's on the small island of Sant'Andrea at the outer port entrance.
From above, you can also spot the historic center with its Romanesque and Baroque churches, the waterfront promenade with the Virgilian Staircase, the Roman Columns, the Castello Svevo, and historic buildings, including the notable Albergo Internazionale. You can even see the civil and military airports with their constant airplane traffic.
If you're already in the historic center, I suggest taking the motorboat near the Port Authority to reach the Monument. This way, you also enjoy the crossing of the natural inner harbor.
The dock on the opposite bank is near the Monument. The motorboat service is public and runs daily from 7 AM to 11:30 PM. It departs every 30 minutes and costs 1.20 euros.
From the center, you can also take bus no. 4 from the STP public line. The stop is in front of the train station, with buses every hour. Tickets cost 1.20 euros and are available at tobacco shops. The bus drops you on Via Duca degli Abruzzi, in the heart of the Casale district. From there, it's about a 7-minute walk to the Monument.
If you're driving, you can easily reach the Casale district. Parking is free and available near the Monument on adjacent streets.
If you want to visit the Monument, avoid Wednesday, as it's closed. Opening hours are Monday 4 PM to 8 PM, Tuesday and Thursday 9 AM to 1 PM, and Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 9 AM to 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM. Tickets cost 3 euros and can be bought at the ticket office.
You can go up either by foot or elevator. Each floor has museum rooms dedicated to the history of the Navy.
After enjoying the panoramic terrace, finish your visit in the crypt. It's at ground level, accessible from the lower square of the Monument. Entry is free, with the same opening hours.
The crypt is a 27-meter-deep underground shrine. Its ceiling is designed like an upside-down ship hull. The black marble walls have about 6,000 sailors' names, fallen in world wars.
