Monumento Nazionale al Marinaio d'Italia

Shaped like a ship's rudder and clad in warm carparo stone, the National Monument to the Sailor of Italy dominates Brindisi's harbour. Inaugurated in 1933, it contains a crypt of black marble plaques commemorating sailors lost at sea and offers a commanding view over the port.

Why it matters

After the First World War, the Lega Navale Italiana chose Brindisi as the site of a national memorial to Italian sailors who died at sea. The monument was built between 1932 and 1933 following a design competition. Its crypt preserves the names of the fallen of the Great War, giving the structure a documentary role as well as a commemorative one.

What to notice

The 54-metre rudder-shaped structure is made of carparo and Trani stone. Stairways lead through the interior to a terrace overlooking the outer harbour, the Pigonati canal and the islet of Sant'Andrea with its Alfonsino castle. Anchors and guns from Austro-Hungarian warships are displayed on the side walls. In the crypt, black marble slabs bear the names of Navy and merchant-marine dead; a bronze image of Maria Stella Maris by Amerigo Bartoli Natinguerra stands on the altar.

Context and history

The monument was designed by architect Luigi Brunati with sculptor Amerigo Bartoli Natinguerra and bears the title “Sta come Torre.” King Vittorio Emanuele III inaugurated it on 4 November 1933. Bas-reliefs of fasces were removed after the fall of Fascism. A statue of the Virgin was placed in the crowning niche in 1955, and a votive altar to the Navy dead of the Second World War was inaugurated in 1965. The municipal venue record also preserves the stern bell of the battleship Benedetto Brin, sunk in Brindisi harbour in 1915.