Lecce travel guide

Lecce is an historic Baroque city in the heart of the Salento Region of Puglia.  The city is easily accessed by train from most major cities in Italy, as well as being close to 2 airports.  Lecture is also rich in natural beauty - including national parks, beaches, and rivers.  Lecture is often nicknamed, "The Florence of the South" because of its abundant art and culture. 

According to local legend, the Messapii tribe founded a city called Sybar during the time of the Trojan War.  The city was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC and renamed Lupiae.  The Emperor Hadrian moved the city from its original site to a new position 3 km north east and again changed the name - this time to Litium. 

Lecce was governed by the Byzantine Empire from 549 AD for 5 centuries. The Normas conquered the city in the 11th century and Lecce began to grow as a commercial center for the area.  From the 11th to 15th century Lecce was one of the most important cities in the Kingdom of Sicily.  In 1463 the city was annexed to the crown and became one of the most important cities in all of Southern Italy. Major development during the 16th century meant that Lecce benefited significantly from the Baroque style of the times, and many of the structures erected during this time are still standing.  ​

The city was the seat of the first Christian bishop, Orontius of Lecce, who became the patron saint of the city.

Lecce and the Salento Region contain some of the least known gems of architectural and historical importance in all of Italy.  Because the region is so far south it is usually left of the tourist itinery, and this makes it an even more pleasant and interesting destination. 

Lecce also has a long gastronomic tradition, specializing in wine and olive oil.

What to See in Lecce

The Church of the Holy Cross (Chiesa di Santa Croce)

The Duomo

The Celestines' Convent

The Roman Amphitheater​

The church of San Niccolò and Cataldo

The church of the Theatines

San Francesco della Scarpa

Torre del Paco

The Sedile Palace

The Triumphal Arch

Palazzo dei Celestini

The Obelisk

Faggiano Museum