Brindisi - Cattedrale di Brindisi

Settlers, who did trade with Greece, lived here already during the Bronze Age. After the Punic Wars it became a major center of Roman naval power and maritime trade. After the decline of the Roman Empire Brindisi was conquered by Ostrogoths, and reconquered by the Byzantine Empire in the 6th century. In 674 it was destroyed by the Lombards led by Romuald I of Benevento, It was rebuilt and within the 9th century. It was under Saracen rule from 836 to 868, when it was retaken by the Byantines. In 1070, it was conquered by the Normans, led by Robert Guiskard.

Brindisi flourished under the Staufer and developed into a privileged port for the Holy Land during the period of Crusades.

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Todays cathedral was erected in Baroque style after, in February 1743, a violent earthquake completely destroyed the Romanesque cathedral, that had been built after the Norman conquest of Brindisi. Pope Urban II had laid the foundation stone in 1089. It was completed in 1143 and played an important part in the medieval history of Puglia. Roger III. was crowned king here in 1191. A year later he married Irene Angelina of Byzantium in the cathedral. Emperor Friedrich II married the 13 years old Isabella II, Queen of Jerusalem here 9th of November 1225. During the ceremony, Frederick declared himself King of Jerusalem.