A majestic monument in the shape of a rudder, 54 m high, pays homage to the 6000 sailors fallen during the Great War of 1915-18, as well as to the 33.900 sailors of World War II. Its lookout position by the sea, makes it visible from whatever point of the city, the most privileged of which being the one on the Pigonati canal. From there both the monument and the historic centre can be reached by boat. The complex can also be accessed through a 259-step spiral staircase located at the square behind the port, which leads up to the top of the rudder. From there you can enjoy an amazing view over the city, the port, the Adriatic sea and Brindisi airport. On top of the rudder there’s a marble statue of the Madonna erected in 1954, looking out to sea. The interior of the monument consists of historic rooms which showcase heirlooms and archaeological finds, such as the urn containing sand from El Alamein.     

A twin monument exists in Labow, Schleswig Holstein, Germany, built in 1927 as a memorial to the German sailors fallen during the Great War.

The decision to build this monument in Brindisi (which was preferred over Trieste and La Spezia) was influenced by the important role played by the city during the conflict. For its construction was launched a national competition for architects and sculptors, to which were submitted 92 projects. The winning project was the one submitted by architect Luigi Brunati and sculptor Amerigo Bartoli. Construction works lasted only one year and the inauguration took place on November 4th 1933 (15th anniversary of victory), attended by king Vittorio Emanuele III.


The structure is built in concrete and clad with carparo marble, which lends it the aspect of a golden monolithic block. Its double structure, one facing the land and the other the sea, fits well in the architecture of the city. At the base of the building, facing the sea, a 27 m crypt leads to a small altar via a corridor spanned by concentric reversed parabolic arches supporting star vaults. The flooring in shiny black marble gives the visitor an odd floating sensation. On the side black-marble niches are carved the names of the fallen.