Saint was turned from South to North, towards the new town centre.
The column too was taken to pieces and assembled about a dozen meters behind.
This column, dating back to the Roman period, comes from the ancient Via Appia, artery of the Roman Empire which linked up Rome to Brundisium, now Brindisi, an important east-facing port. Separated from its twin in 1684, actually it was stolen, the column was formally asked by Brindisi many times for its return. However it never was and has remained in Piazza Santo Oronzo ever since. Today the ruin of the base are still visible
at the port of Brindisi, not far from
its twin column.