Holiday in Lecce

What makes Lecce special as a destination?

Lecce is the Florence of the South — a city located in the Italian province of Apulia (Puglia) on the Salento peninsula, known for its exuberant Baroque splendor and considered one of Italy's architectural jewels. The golden-yellow Pietra Leccese, a soft limestone that can be carved like butter and shines in the sun like warm honey, has inspired generations of stone masons to a true frenzy of sculpture: Every church facade, every palace, and every balcony railing is a work of art made of putti, fruits, mythical creatures, and floral ornaments. The Basilica di Santa Croce is the masterpiece of Lecce Baroque: For over 200 years (1549-1695), stone masons worked on the facade, which resembles a stone lacework — lions, griffins, angels, roses, and pomegranates wind through such a dense decor that not a square centimeter remains unworked. Inside, classical severity contrasts with the opulence of the facade. The Piazza del Duomo is one of the most beautiful enclosed squares in Italy: The cathedral (1144, Baroque style in the 17th century) with its 68-meter-high bell tower, the bishop's palace, and the seminary form a harmonious ensemble of golden-yellow stone that shines in warm light in the evening. The Roman amphitheater from the 2nd century on Piazza Sant'Oronzo reminds us that Lecce, as Lupiä, was already an important city under the Romans: It had space for 25,000 spectators, and today only half is uncovered, with the other half lying beneath the surrounding buildings. The Salento, the southernmost tip of Apulia between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, offers some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy: Porto Cesareo, Torre dell'Orso, and the Grotta della Pösia (a natural rock bay) are only 30-40 minutes from Lecce. The nights in Lecce's old town are lively: Aperitivo on Piazza Mazzini, craft beer bars in vaulted cellars, and pizzerias under the open sky.