Why Lecce?
Map of the Salento Penninsula.
Lecce and the Salento
- The city: Lecce is a beautiful, elegant baroque city steeped in tradition and history. The historical old city is stunning. The baroque architecture, museums and art galleries alone definitely make a visit worthwhile and the people are warm, friendly and welcoming.
- The region: Lecce is in the Salento region of Puglia and within easy reach of many beautiful places to visit. They include the UNESCO listed towns of Alberobello and Matera, the white hill top town of Ostuni, and the picturesque coastal towns of Gallipoli, Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca.
- The courses: The teachers are highly skilled and very patient. The maximum class size is 12 and the cost of the courses is very reasonable.
- The atmosphere: Despite its age and history, Lecce has a very young feel because it is a university city. Of the 95,000 people who live there, more than 20,000 are associated with the university. It has a vibrant live music scene, with many bars and music venues. It is compact, easy to navigate and safe.
- The food: The food and wine are superb. Puglia is renowned in Italy for its food and wine and the Salento region of Puglia is no exception. The olive oil and wine in particular are brilliant. The range of delicious local dishes is just too big to do justice to and every town and micro region has their own specialties. It’s all good.
- The climate: Lecce is in the heel of Italy and has the classic Mediterranean climate with warm to hot dry summers and cool to cold winters with most of its rain coming during autumn and winter.
- The cost: The south of Italy is still much cheaper than the rest of the country and the cost of living in Lecce is much lower than, for example, in Sienna, Venice or Perugia where there are also Italian language schools and courses. Food and accommodation are very reasonably priced.
- Explore: Lecce is the last stop on Italy’s main south-east railway line and all the major city destinations are accessible from Lecce. Nearby Brindisi and Bari have important regional airports that fly to major Italian cities as well as other European destinations.
RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
- Church of the Holy Cross: Construction of the Basilica di Santa Croce began in 1353 and was completed in 1695. The church has a very ornate baroque interior with a richly decorated façade with statues of saints, animals, and grotesque figures.
- Duomo – Lecce’s Cathedral: The church was originally built in 1144, rebuilt in 1230, then restored between 1659–70 by Giuseppe Zimbalo. At this time they added the five storey 70-metre high bell tower, which to this day remains the tallest structure in Lecce.
- La Chiesa di Santa Chiara was built in the 15th century and is one of the most important and admired churches in Lecce. Inside, every niche and surface swirls with twisting columns and ornate statuary. The ceiling made of cartapesta (papier-mâché) masquerading as wood.
Chiesa di Sant'Irene - Lecce.
ARCHAEOLOGY
- The Roman 2nd century Amphitheatre, situated near Piazza Sant’Oronzo, was able to seat more than 25,000 people. Only about half has been excavated as much it lies buried under many significant buildings including a church.
- The archaeological park of Rudiae, three kilometres south-west of the city. In Roman times Rudiae was more important than Lecce. The ruins include an amphitheatre, a necropolis, and the remains of substantial walls.
- The Roman Theatre, built at the same time as the amphitheatre, seated about 5ooo people for theatrical performances. It was discovered by accident in 1929 during some works. Nearby is Roman Theatre Museum.
- Archaeological museums you can visit. Museo Sigismondo Castromediano , Museo Faggiano, and MUSA – the archaeological Museum of the University of Salento.
OTHER SITES
- Column in Piazza Sant’Oronzo: The column supports the statue of Sant’Oronzo, Lecce’s patron saint. The column is Roman and originally was one of the two columns that marked the end of the Appian Way in Brindisi.
- Palazzo Sedile: The palace was built in 1592 and was used by the local council until 1852. It’s now a tourism information office.
- Palazzo dei Celestini, once a monastery for the Celestine order of monks, it is now the seat of government for the Province of Lecce. It was built in 1659–95.
- Porta Napoli is one of the three gates into the old walled city of Lecce. Porta Napoli was built in 1548 as a triumphal arch in honour of King Charles V of Spain.
- Castle of Charles V: A very imposing structure, it was built in 1539–49 to defend the city from invaders. It is now a museum and gallery, and is is attached to the Politeama Greco, Lecce’s Opera House.
- MUST – History Museum of Lecce: Originally a convent, it now acts as a history museum for Lecce and as a modern and contemporary art gallery.