What to do in Lecce

Piazza Sant’Oronzo is an attractive public square, which boasts a cornucopia of architectural styles and is the result of centuries of craftsmanship. It takes its name from St. Orontius of Lecce, the city’s patron saint. Find a relic from Lecce’s early beginnings as a Roman settlement, spot mosaics and visit interesting churches. Piazza Sant’Oronzo is also a location for outdoor cultural events.

The Arco di Trionfo (Triumphal Arch) is a monumental archway set at the western edge of Lecce’s old town. Its striking structure sets the scene for the many architectural treasures that line the streets of the city’s historic center. Otherwise known as Porta Napoli, the Arco di Trionfo was erected in 1548 by Gian Giacomo dell’Acaya, who also built the Castello di Lecce.

Peer down into the Roman Amphitheater (Anfiteatro Romano) and envisage a time when large audiences would applaud gladiators, attend theatrical shows and watch live music performances. This ancient monument sits half-concealed beneath Piazza Sant’Oronzo. The Roman Amphitheater dates back to the A.D. 2nd century, when Lecce was a Roman settlement called Lupiae. Builders discovered it by chance in the early 1900s.

Piazza del Duomo is a spacious and stately square home to some of Lecce’s most impressive works of architecture. Unusual for a central square, it is completely enclosed by buildings and accessed via a gateway on its north side. In previous times the city’s residents would take refuge from invaders at the square. Today, Piazza del Duomo resembles an open-air museum lined with Baroque masterpieces that range from a cathedral to palaces.

The Holy Cross Cathedral (Basilica di Santa Croce) is a symbol of artistic beauty. Its detailed stonemasonry and orthodox internal decorations bear testament to the talents of Lecce’s most revered artists. Gualtieri VI of Brienne laid the first stone of the Holy Cross Cathedral in the 1350s but the project was interrupted upon his passing. Work on the church resumed in 1549 and another 150 years passed before completion.