The Roman column at the top of a broad staircase descending to the harbour is Brindisi's most recognisable landmark and one of the most significant Roman monuments in the south of Italy. It marked the terminus of the Via Appia — the great road that ran 540 km from Rome to the sea — and for centuries served as both a navigational beacon for ships entering the harbour and a symbolic gateway for travellers departing the empire's capital for the east.
The column stands about 19 metres tall on its stepped base, topped by a Byzantine capital decorated with figures of Jupiter, Neptune, and the wind gods. The worn reliefs are still legible if you look closely. The staircase below, lined with busts of Brindisi-born scholars, makes for a theatrical approach. Early morning is the best time: the harbour light is warm, the cruise and ferry crowds haven't arrived yet, and you can stand at the top with a clear view over the water toward the breakwaters.