Roman Columns

In the 3rd century BC Rome made Brindisi, Brundisium, its gateway to the Greek and Eastern world: the natural harbour shaped like a stag’s antlers was wide, sheltered and safe. The Appian Way, built in 312 BC as far as Capua, was extended all the way here. Those arriving by sea from Egypt, Greece or Syria took the road to Rome from this point; those leaving for the East said their farewell to Italy right here.

Over eighteen metres tall, with its Corinthian capital still remarkably intact, the column was originally one of a twin pair. The second collapsed in 1528 and its shaft was given to Lecce, where it holds up the statue of Saint Oronzo. Among the volutes of the capital you can make out sea deities and tritons, a tribute to the sea that here swallowed and returned the fates of travellers.

Across this limestone have passed the sandals of legionaries and the footsteps of medieval merchants and pilgrims bound for the Holy Land. Virgil too, returning from Greece, died in Brindisi in 19 BC, a few paces from this final boundary of the most famous road of the ancient world.