So much to love about Lecce Italy…
There is much to Love in beautiful Lecce. Known as the ‘Florence of the South’ Lecce fascinates visitors with its architectural charm, art and culture.
Lecce is a city in Southern Italy, with the second-highest population in Puglia. It is in the heel of the Italian ‘Boot’, and is over two thousand years old. Lecce is also an important agricultural center, and is well-known for serving high quality olive oil, wines, cured meats, and Burrata cheese. The city is full of fine restaurants that feature fresh Apulian ingredients, with rich culinary traditions and modern creative twists.
Why visit Lecce?
- Safe, Clean city with energy and vitality
- Large enough to offer the interest of a city/small enough to warm your heart
- Stunning Baroque Architecture
- Art- Paintings, Frescos, Statues
- The Apulian warmth of the locals
- Legacy of superb food and Wine
Lecce is full of history
The city was founded by the Messapians, an ancient italic people, around the 8th century BC. It was conquered by the Romans in the 3rd century BC, receiving the new name of Lupiae. Lecce prospered under Roman rule and became a leading center for trade and commerce. The Roman Theater, and Amphitheater of Lecce were built in this period.
After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Lecce was conquered in the Gothic Wars that took place in Italy starting in 535. It was restored to Roman rule in 549, and remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for five centuries, with brief conquests by Saracens, and Lombards. The Normans came in to Lecce in the 11th Century and brought in convents and the first Cathedral. Lecce regained commercial and political importance. Several French dynasties succeed the Normans. They built the first castle and re-established relations with the Venetian Republic- importing fabrics, glass, and tools- exporting wheat oil and wine from the Marina di San Cataldo. Lecce became the Capital of Salento.
The 15th and 16th centuries were marked by conflict between the French and the Spanish. and Lecce fell into the hands of Charles V of Hapsburg – who achieved a definitive defeat over the Turks, and Christianity triumphed over Islam. Charles V fortified the city with a castle, walls, towers, and fortified farm houses. Lecce flourished culturally with sites for literary, philosophy, and scientific discussion and education.
The period called ‘Barocco Leccese’ saw the construction of magnificent palaces, churches, and public buildings made in the Baroque style, featuring Lecce stone. Lecce’s main export became the coveted pale yellow limestone that was soft and malleable, that actually hardened over time- perfect for ornate decoration and sculpture. The combination of artists, artisans, Lecce stone, the wealth from trade, and the highly decorative Baroque style- converged to make Lecce a spectacular and highly ornate city that has been beautifully preserved. Spend some time to look for details- gargoyles, and carvings that lift balconies and beams, door knockers, frescos, paintings and sculptures- even Vico del Theutra in the historical center at the corner with Via Federico D’Aragona- look for a small woman’s face carved between the two streets-carved by a young man who lost his beloved.
A long-buried ancient amphitheater
was unearthed right in the middle of the city
The Roman amphitheater of Lecce is in the main piazza. It was completely hidden from view until 1901. The theater spent centuries under the earth, until construction workers uncovered it while digging to build a bank.
The amphitheater was built during Hadrian’s reign as Roman emperor during the 2nd century CE, at which time Lecce was just a small village that could be used as a resort or a trading port along the Mediterranean. The theater is still partially buried, but you can easily make out the horseshoe-shaped arena, which in its time could hold at least 15,000 spectators. Ancient images on the walls depict the types of shows they would have seen, such as gladiators fighting with bulls, lions, bears, or other humans. The theater is still used as a venue for events and performances.
Lecce is full of Life and Love
Here is a beautiful wedding we happened upon
Lecce has so many great restaurants…
Our Favorite Restaurant Picks
Mama Elvira’s features authentic Salento cuisine and local flavors-but with some flair, and innovative combinations. Cozy restaurant and patio- We have loved every dish, but highly recommend the Tuna ‘Meat balls’ Via Ludovico Maremonti, 33 73100 – Lecce
Il Vico Del Gusto RistoranteCharming small restaurant on the edge of Centro Storico. The atmosphere is elegant and romantic with white linen tablecloths. The food is delicious – Beautiful fish-really loved the pasta. Reservations highly recommended. Via dei Fieschi, 14, 73100, Lecce +39 0832 246931
Sit outside along the street or in the entrance under a high domed ceiling. This is a popular restaurant so be sure to make a reservation. The food is uniformly excellent and the service equally good- really attentive and friendly staff. Excellent menu with many choices for vegeterians. Via Principi Di Savoia, 4, 73100, Lecce Italy +39 348 383 6224
Italian cuisine. 3 Rane offers a fine dining version of traditional italian dishes. Every dishe is cooked with top quality and, when possible, organic and biologic ingredients. Artisan chef Maurizio Raselli chooses menu items on a daily basis to highlight seasonal ingredients. This is a very small restaurant so be sure to make a reservation. You can choose 4, 6, 8 or 10 course meals- or ala carte- so hard to limit yourself! Service may be slower than you are used to- but it is a tasting experience. Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 7, Lecce, +39 375 504 0165
La TipografiaExperience a beautiful meal in a historic square of Lecce. Our food was delicious….loved the meatballs, and steak – Pasta was terrific too. Service was also attentive and friendly. The menus are on QR codes- and sometimes it’s difficult to get a signal with all the stone, but definitely a favorite. Piazzetta Raimondello Orsini Angolo via degli Ammirati, 73100, Lecce Italy +39 328 898 2815
Beautiful artisan pizzas. We especially loved the ‘Rossa di Tropea’ Via Libertini 64
10 Great Things to do in Lecce
1. Take a tour of the city. Experienced guides can help highlight the delightful details so many visitors can miss. Be sure to visit the Roman amphitheater: The Roman amphitheater in Lecce is a well-preserved archaeological site that dates back to the 2nd century AD. Take a guided tour to learn about the history of the amphitheater and imagine what it would have been like during ancient Roman times
2. Enjoy the culinary scene. Make it progressive with an Aperitivo in the early evening at one establishment, Move on to your dinner venue, and finish with some of the finest Gelato Italy has to offer. Make reservations for your dinner selection- the best restaurants fill quickly
Aperitivo at Mama Elviras Enoteca, Lecce
3. Spend some time shopping. The city is filled with beautiful boutiques, art, and hand crafts. You will also see many local vendors selling their jewelry, drawings and other crafts on tables that line parts of the city.
4. Schedule a wine tasting in Puglia Lecce is surrounded by some of the most prestigious wineries in Italy. Take the opportunity to taste some beautiful Fiano, or Verdecca, a Primitivo or a Negromano. There are so many great options. More on the irresistible wines of Puglia
5. Take an Italian cooking lesson and learn the Apuglian tradition of making pasta. This class is in English. You will love the pasta, the hospitality, and the opportunity to meet and socialize with an intimate group of travelers from all over the world. Check out our recent Cooking Lesson/Experience
6. See a concert in Lecce Enjoy some music or entertainment in a beautiful setting. Check out this site for tickets
7. Spend time in Lecce’s beautiful park, Villa Comunale Di Lecce. This impressive public garden just next to Centro Storico is a great place to walk and relax. The park has four entrances and was constructed in the 19th century with grid-like paths lined with some fantastic trees, bushes and flowers. You will also enjoy fountains and ponds, plus a selection of statues and monuments to various important Italian figures.
8. Tour the Churches of Lecce, Chose the famous Lecce Duomo Cathedral, the Basilica di Santa Croce, or the unusual Chiese di Santa Chiara with a ceiling made entirely of paper-mâché. There are 22 churches in the historic center
9. Tour the Castle of Charles V. The castle was the main defensive fortification in the city since the 16th century.
10. Enjoy a festival experience. Time your visit to experience a festival. Festivals in Lecce
Other great towns to explore- Short trips from Lecce
Galatina, Italy – Little Lecce Galatina is a town steeped in history, with many beautiful churches, palaces, and other historic buildings to explore. There has been an elegant town here since the 12th century. You will love the Puglia Romanesque style, with impressive doorways and balconies, decorated with intricate stonework. One of the town’s main attractions is the Basilica of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria, known for its stunning frescoes and Baroque architecture.
Alberobello For a taste of traditional Puglian culture, take a day trip to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its unique trulli houses. Wander the streets lined with these cone-shaped buildings and visit the Trullo Sovrano, a larger two-story trullo that is now a museum.
Matera Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history that dates back over 10,000 years. This ancient city is located in the region of Basilicata in southern Italy and is known for its unique ancient cave dwellings, known as “Sassi”, which are carved into the limestone cliffs of the Gravina Gorge.
Beautiful Churches of Lecce
There are actually 22 beautiful churches in Lecce
The Lecce Duomo Cathedral is the centerpiece of the Piazza del Duomo. The first church on the sight was built in 1114, and then renovated in 1230. Decorated in the beautiful Baroque style by famous architect Giuseppe Zimbolo in 1670, this church is ornate and features two decorated facades.
Basilica di Santa Croce
The ornate exterior of the Basilica di Santa Croce features the Leccese Baroque style. Created by architects Gabriele Riccardi, Francesco Antonio Zimbalo, Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo over three generations. Built on top of a previous church in 1549. The interior is decorated with 2 rows of stone columns, elaborate chandeliers, and a vaulted wooden ceiling.