Name: Porta Napoli (Porta Mesagne) – Gateway to the Via Appia
Rating: 2

Routes

Route planner

Features

Product updates

Get the App

Discover

Places to see

Italy

Apulia

Brindisi

Porta Napoli (Porta Mesagne) – Gateway to the Via Appia

Discover

Places to see

Italy

Apulia

Brindisi

Porta Napoli (Porta Mesagne) – Gateway to the Via Appia

Recommended by 9 hikers

Save

Location: Brindisi, Apulia, Italy

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Porta Napoli (Porta Mesagne) – Gateway to the Via Appia

4.5

(13)

113

hikers

1. Roman Columns of Brindisi – Lungomare Regina Margherita loop from Brindisi Centrale

5.63km

01:28

40m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

3.5

(4)

hikers

2. Parco del Cillarese loop from Brindisi Centrale

9.41km

02:25

40m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

3.0

(2)

hikers

3. Parco del Cillarese loop from Brindisi Centrale

10.1km

02:37

50m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

Tips

Frank

June 28, 2025

(1/3) Porta Napoll, also known as Porta Mesagne, is the widest entrance gate to the city. It was built on the foundations of the wall erected in Roman times by Mark Antony with the aim of isolating the city from the land. In 1243, loyal to Octavian, Emperor Frederick I of Swabia planned to expand the urban area of Brindisi and incorporate it into the new city walls. He also wanted to build a triumphal gate as the main access to the city center. The gate dates back to the time of the nearby Aragonese castle.

The Ruga Magistra (Main Street) originated here and coincided with today's Via Carmine and Via Filomeno Consiglio, a straight path leading to the harbor. The supports for the beams are still present in the pointed arch opening, which probably supported a wooden roof, as well as in the hinges of the doors.

Translated by Google •

Frank

June 28, 2025

(2/3) Upon closer inspection, one can still see remnants of medieval frescoes in the upper part, presumably depicting saints.

Over the course of the century, neglect and water ingress had caused extensive damage to the monument, and in 1923, its demolition was called for. The strong storm on the night of October 26-27, 1925, caused the pediment of the gateway arch to collapse, prompting Mayor Serafino Giannelli to sign the demolition order after the technical report by the municipal chief engineer, Telesforo Tachioni.

However, this decision was clearly rejected by the president of the Provincial Monuments Commission, priest Don Pasquale Camassa, known as Papa Pascalinu.

Translated by Google •

Frank

June 28, 2025

(3/3) After sending letters and telegrams to ministries and offices responsible for the protection of historical monuments to definitively halt the demolition of the monument, Papa Pascalinu positioned himself beneath the gate and forced the workers, who were already standing ready with pickaxes, to leave. After a more detailed examination of the problem, the superintendence was commissioned by the ministry to develop a conservation project for the Porta Napeli, which was ultimately saved.

During the restoration work, the smaller arch was opened to allow pedestrians to pass through.

Translated by Google •

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 10 m

Weather

Today

Friday 19 September

27°C

23°C

0 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Brindisi, Apulia, Italy

Porta Napoli (Porta Mesagne) – Gateway to the Via Appia

1. Roman Columns of Brindisi – Lungomare Regina Margherita loop from Brindisi Centrale

2. Parco del Cillarese loop from Brindisi Centrale

3. Parco del Cillarese loop from Brindisi Centrale

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️