Casa del Turista, ex Chiesa di San Giovanni dei Greci

The Casa del Turista on Brindisi's seafront incorporates remains associated with the former church of San Giovanni dei Greci and a medieval military-order presence. A pointed arch of carparo and pale Carovigno stone, marked with a cross, survives alongside medieval spolia and archaeological remains beneath the building.

Why it matters

The site brings together layers of Brindisi's history: a church served by priests of the Greek rite, the presence of the Knights Templar and Hospitallers, and Roman remains below the later palace. A tithe document from 1260 records San Giovanni dei Greci near the shore and landing place known as the barcaturo. The pointed entrance arch, with its cross in relief, is associated with the Templars. The complex later passed to the Hospitallers, who rebuilt the church with a dedication to Saint John the Almsgiver.

What to notice

The entrance arch is built from two-tone stone blocks, with a cross carved into its keystone. The courtyard preserves reused architectural elements, including columns and a carved rose window, along with medieval burial pits associated with the church. Excavations in 1999 revealed Roman-age layers and a necropolis of about forty burials, including earth-pit and box tombs, together with ceramics and a drainage channel. The palace above has three storeys and rows of round arches along its side.

Context and history

The church of San Giovanni dei Greci appears in the 1260 tithe list as standing near the seashore and the barcaturo. Sixteenth-century historian Giovanni Maria Moricino described a military-order seat at the site with an arcaded dock. The complex passed from the Templars to the Hospitallers in the early fourteenth century. It was restored after earthquake damage in 1752 under commendatory Costantino Chigi. A demolition decree in 1841, associated with harbour redevelopment, led to the church's removal; surviving architectural elements were incorporated into the later palace. The site became known as the Casa del Turista.