The Florence of the South is an eye-catching southern Italian city blessed with Baroque architecture, Roman ruins and manicured gardens.
Discover a fascinating legacy of Baroque and Roman architecture as you wander Lecce’s historic streets. Gaze at ancient churches, palaces, squares and theaters. Relax in pristine gardens, shop at boutique fashion stores and sample traditional southern Italian cuisine.
Much of Lecce’s Baroque splendor spreads throughout the Centro Storico (Historic Center). Explore this area on foot and admire centuries-old monuments crafted from soft local sandstone. Start in the graceful Piazza del Duomo and visit the city’s ornate 12th-century cathedral, Duomo di Lecce. Other notable landmarks around this central square are the 15th-century Palazzo Arcivescovile and the Seminario.
Go to Piazza Sant’Oronzo to see the ancient horseshoe-shaped Roman Amphitheater. Follow cobblestone streets to find more architectural treasures. Spot intricately carved façades and lavish interior decorations at the Basilica di Santa Croce and Chiesa di San Matteo. Take a guided tour of Castello di Carlo V, which also hosts frequent art exhibitions.
Lecce’s museums showcase the city’s long and interesting history. See displays of Paleolithic, Neolithic, Greek and Roman artifacts at the Museo Provinciale. Visit underground caverns, hidden walkways and a room for drying corpses at the Museo Faggiano. Admire work by regional artists at the MUST gallery.
Relax amid the green lawns, fountains and promenades of Giardini Pubblici. Browse the boutique stores on Via Vittorio Emanuele for clothing, footwear and accessories by Italian designers. Find an assortment of bakeries, bars, café and restaurants set around the Centro Storico. Try southern Italian favorites, including pasticciotti (cream-filled buttery pastry) and la puccia, a pita bread sandwich with warm vegetables, ham and cheese.
Lecce sits at the heart of Italy’s Salento peninsula and is a short drive from Italy’s enchanting Adriatic and Ionian coastlines. Reach Lecce by flying to Brindisi-Salento Airport, which is a 30-minute drive from the city center. April through October are good times to visit, when you can combine your stay with trips to Salento’s sun-drenched beaches. Rent a car and explore attractive resorts such as Gallipoli, Otranto and Porto Cesareo.
