Brindisi

From CruisersWiki

The natural harbour of Brindisi lies on the Adriatic coast of Italy 45 miles N of the port of Otranto and 68 miles N of Capo Santa Maria di Leuca at the SE tip of the Italian peninsula. An important settlement since the heydays of Magna Graecia, it acquired the name of Brundisium following its capture by Rome around 260 BC. Its role as a vital maritime outlet for Roman power was reinforced by the extension of the Via Appia to Brundisium in 264 BC. Over the next two centuries the town became one of the most important Roman naval bases and a key centre for trade across the Adriatic and the Eastern Mediterranean. Later passing through the hands of the Ostrogoths and Byzantines, the Normans took the town in 1070 and immediately set to work on erecting its castle and cathedral. Like Otranto to the south, Brindisi was subsequently a major port of embarkation for the Crusades. Plagues and earthquakes took their toll and a slow decline began that only halted with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, when Brindisi enjoyed something of a revival in trade. Today, the harbour is thronged with people and goods awaiting transportation across the Adriatic to Greece. The middle basin has a large, new marina on its N side, the inner basin has a small ‘marina’ operated by the Italian Lega Navale and yachts may also berth alongside or stern-to the quays on the N side of the inner basin or the W side next to the town.

Charts

British Admiralty

187

188

Italian

921

29

191

192

Weather

During the summer months the prevailing winds in the Adriatic are light to moderate coastal seabreezes. In spring and autumn, northerly winds are more frequent and can quickly rise to near gale force, especially in the northern Adriatic, where the much-feared “bora” is caused by high pressure over the mountains to the NE coupled with low pressure over southern Italy. Fortunately, the fiercest “bora” is normally to be expected in the winter months. Thunderstorms are occasionally experienced in spring and especially autumn and can be accompanied by violent winds of gale force and above. Luckily they are rarely long-lasting. In the southern Adriatic, the “scirocco”, a S/SE wind blowing up from North Africa which can last for several days, is more common. Unlike the “bora”, which can arrive without warning, a “scirocco” tends to build in strength over 24-48 hours, sometimes reaching gale force (especially in winter).

Sources for weather information:

• There is a continuous (computerised voice) weather forecast on VHF 68 - first in Italian and then followed with an English translation
• The same forecast is given in Italian and English on VHF coastal stations following a notification on channel 16
• Navtex weather forecasts covering the Adriatic are broadcast from stations at Roma, Trieste, Kerkyra (Greece) and Split (Croatia)

Passages

See Adriatic.

Islands

None.

Communication

Also see World Cruiser's Nets.

Navigation

In the approach from both N and S, keep at least 500 metres off the headlands at either end of the bay of Brindisi to avoid the rocky reefs extending off them. Between Otranto to the S and Brindisi there is a firing range at Punta Cataldo and it is important to check the firing days (usually broadcast on Navtex) before heading along the coast. The entrance to the outer harbour of Brindisi is between the mile-long northern breakwater extending from Punta Riso and the shorter southern mole extending out from the coast to the mini-archipelago of Isole Pedagne. Once inside, head for the passage between the ferry terminal and the conspicuous fort of Castello del Mare on a heading of WSW to enter the middle harbour. If heading for the new Marina di Brindisi in the middle harbour, turn to starboard immediately after passing the breakwater off the Castello del Mare. If heading for the inner basin, continue towards the large sandstone monument in the shape of a giant rudder (the Monument to the Italian Sailor), which lies just inside the narrow entrance channel on the N side of the inner basin. Care is needed when entering the channel (as it is anywhere in Brindisi harbour) to avoid commercial and ferry traffic, which has priority throughout the harbour. Depths throughout the three basins range from 6.0 - 12.0 metres and in the marina from 3.0 - 11.0 metres.

Entrance

Brindisi is a port of entry/wxit to Italy.

Submit details about facilities for checking in - location of immigration & customs, etc.

Berthing

Yachts visiting Brindisi have three main options: the new Marina di Brindisi in the middle harbour; the pontoons of the Lega Navale in the inner basin, or the quays of the inner basin, where even large yachts can berth alongside or stern-to wherever there is space.

Quays of the Inner basin

Template:Coord legacy - Chartlet
Inner basin is quayed around both the western and southern arms. Depths at the quays are 4.5 - 8.0 metres. There are bollards along the quays with chains taut in between them and at most places laid lines for mooring. Berths at the quay are free of charge (2015).
Note: Put your fenders VERY low, touching the water as the quay is very low. All berths suffer from considerable ferry-wash; laid lines could also be used to avoid ferry wash if moored alongside.

• Southern arm:
  • E quay is used by commercial vessels.
  • W quay can be used to go alongside or stern/bow to.

• Western arm:
  • N quay: A yacht can moor alongside or stern/bows-to either to the W of the large sandstone monument (officially you are not supposed to park right below it, although the fishing boats do). Update: In 2015 there was construction under way and no berthing was possible on the N quay.
  • On the S quay immediately next to the town beginning just east of the fuel station leaving room for the Ormegiattori boats. Note: on the S quay there is a ledge in places just below the waterline. Maximum length 50 metres.

While the berths on the S quay are closer to the town, the berths at the N quay are quieter and suffer a bit less from ferry wash (although you are likely to be in company with some large fishing boats during the night).

Marinas & Yacht Clubs

Lega Navale

Template:Coord legacy - Chartlet
Lega Navale operates a series of pontoons towards the head of the western arm of the inner basin. Yachts in transit are permitted to berth here if space is available. The pontoons have a total of around 300 berths for yachts up to a maximum of 18 metres. Depths at the pontoons range from 3.5 - 7.0 metres. Water on the pontoons. Some electricity points (not at all berths). Toilets and showers. Bar and restaurant/pizzeria. Wifi. Fixed crane (10 T) and some basic repairs. A regular passenger ferry runs from here to the town on the other side of the basin.

Much nicer location than Marina di Brindisi and just as easy access to the airport. Call on VHF channel 09 or 16 or telephone: + 39 0831 412114 or E-mail:. Website.

Marina di Brindisi

Template:Coord legacy - Chartlet
Marina di Brindisi is situated in the inlet of Seno di Bocca di Puglia, half a mile N of the entrance to the middle harbour. It will be clearly seen to starboard once past the breakwater that extends S from the conspicuous fort of Castello del Mare. It offers 638 berths for vessels of up to 35 metres. €38 per night for 10m (August 2015).

The marina is quite isolated and a taxi to the airport or town is €15 (April 2015). A bus runs hourly to the town. There is no nearby village.

Approdo del Indie

Located in the western arm of the innerbasin, this small marina has laid moorings along the S quay just west of the fuel station. Approdo del Indie - ATS S.R.L. Statione di ormeggio invernale - Piazzale Lenio Flacco / Banchina Sciabiche, 72100 Brindisi - Tel. +39 0831.1798690 Cell. +39 392.9995752 & +39 347.1087955 - Email
07/2013: €50 to €60 for per night for 12 metres including water and electrical.

Anchorages

None.

Yacht Repairs and Services

Marine Stores

• Limongelli, Marco Aversa (speaks some English - Forniture Nautiche e Navali - Chandelry. Well stocked store, has Camping Gaz

  Via S. Francesco, 17 - Brindisi - Tel. +39 0831.521551, Fax. +39 0831.521829 - Email .

• Brinmar Shop Online store with outlet in Brindisi.

  Strada Piccoli 33, 72100 Brindisi, http://www.brinmarshop.it

Repairs/Yards

See Marina di Brindisi.

10/10/2014. Needed repairs to our bow thruster. Marina di Brindisi put us on to Vito Capriati. Examined, extracted, removed, repaired, returned, reinstalled and now working again. Good tradesman - neat and tidy, knows his stuff. ph. 338 435 2279 or ask in the marina office.

Fuel, Water, & Electricity

Fuel

station on the quay of the inner basin (0800 - 1230 and 1500 - 1900) and at Marina di Brindisi.

Water and electricity

on the pontoons at Marina di Brindisi and Lega Navale.

there are outlets for water and electricity installed all along the quays of the inner basin, but were not working (2015).

Things to do Ashore

Tourism

On the W side of the inner harbour are some steps surmounted by an ancient column, which marks the spot where the famous Roman road the Appian Way reached the former harbour of Brundisium. Further W around the waterfront is the brooding mass of the Castello Svevo, a powerful 13th century castle built to defend the port by Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. The four square towers were added by the Aragonese in the 15th century. The castle is a military zone and unfortunately cannot be visited. Perhaps the most celebrated sight in Brindisi is the 14th century church of Santa Maria del Casale some four kilometers W of the harbour. The church is constructed in alternating white and ochre colored stone, creating an amazing patterned effect. Inside are some interesting 14th century frescoes.

Grocery & Supply Stores

• Numerous supermarkets and provisions shops in the town.

Eateries

• Numerous restaurants and pizzerias in the town
• Restaurants at Marina di Brindisi and Lega Navale

Internet/WiFi

At Marina di Brindisi and Lega Navale.

Laundry

At Marina di Brindisi (planned).

Motorbike & Car Rentals

Numerous outlets in the town.

Garbage Disposal

Bins at the harbour and Marina di Brindisi.

Transportation

• Buses to Rome and local destinations.
• Local flights to Rome, Naples, Milan, Bolgona and Pisa from Brindisi airport.
• Trains to Bari, Lecce and Taranto and most major cities.

Friends

Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.

Forums

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

Links

• Brindisi at the Wikipedia

References & Publications

See Italy.

Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.

Verified by

Date of member's last visit to Brindisi and this page's details validated:

• June 2004--Athene of Lymington
• April 2013--Zebahdy of London
• June 2013 --s/v Seatern 07:43, 11 October 2013 (BST)
• Sept 2014--LifePart2

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Contributors to this page
Names: Lighthouse, Athene of Lymington