Known as the “Florence of the South” for the concentration of baroque buildings, Lecce is one of the destinations not to be missed if you want to enjoy the authentic beauty of Southern Italy.
Not just “Lu Sule, Lu Mare, Lu Ientu”. The city of Lecce cancels the common place that sees Salento as a popular destination only if you love the sea and summer nightlife. This baroque jewel fascinates with its architectural richness, its history and its lively culture.
Where is Lecce located?
Lecce is the capital of the homonymous province located in the central part of the heel of Stivale, the territory that takes the name of Salento.
The city is surrounded by fertile plains and does not directly face the sea, but is not far from the jagged coasts of the Adriatic Sea.
Things to do in Lecce
The old town is a maze of alleys still in time that allows you to admire the various testimonies of the glorious past of the city.
The beating heart is undoubtedly Piazza del Duomo, a majestic square dominated by the Cathedral of Lecce (Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta). It is a secentist building with a very clean and simple facade flanked by a high bell tower.
Among the unmissable attractions are the external walls, the arena and the lower steps of the Roman Amphitheatre, located in Piazza Sant’Oronzo, an imposing structure of the time that testifies to the ancient greatness of the city during the Roman period.
History lovers should not miss the Castle of Charles V, a fortress built in the sixteenth century and destined to defend the city from the arrival of the Turks. Today, the manor houses events, events and exhibitions.
During the tour of the city you can see three of the four gates to Lecce: Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae and Porta San Biagio. Just entering from this last door you can admire a treasure hidden among the various palaces and discovered almost by chance, the Roman Theatre.
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What’s beautiful in Lecce between excursions and sea
Walking through the cobbled streets of Lecce is a unique experience, with every corner revealing new squares, churches and architectural wonders, but it is not the only way to experience the city.
The museum MUST (Historical Museum of the City of Lecce) tells the history and tradition of the city through works of artists and exhibitions set up in the spaces of the former monastery of Santa Chiara.
To “touch” the artisan traditions of the territory you can participate in various workshops of local crafts, such as the processing of papier-mâché or hand-painted ceramics, real protagonists of authentic souvenirs of Lecce.
Lovers of green spaces can immerse themselves in the various parks of the city, such as the Giuseppe Garibaldi Public Gardens, spending time among secular trees and games for children.
You can take advantage of the strategic location of Lecce to explore the nearby natural beauty such as the Alimini Lakes and other pearls of Salento such as Otranto. How long it takes to visit Lecce and its surroundings depends only on your preferences.
As for the sea in Lecce, a few kilometers from the historic center, you can reach the coastal villages such as San Cataldo and Torre Specchia and their beautiful beaches. There, you can enjoy the sea, relax or play sports between the golden sand and the crystal clear water.
Lecce’s gastronomy, a journey of flavours
Visiting Salento without tasting the delicacies of the territory is an incomplete journey because Lecce is also famous for its delicious and genuine cuisine.
Among the most iconic dishes of the tradition there are frise (stale bread seasoned with tomato, olive oil and salt), ciceri and tria (dish made with pasta and chickpeas), the rustic leccese (rustic stuffed with tomato, mozzarella and béchamel) and the puccia salentina (fragrant sandwich stuffed with a tasty ingredients).
From breakfast to dinner, every break can become special by enjoying the pasticciotto (shortcrust pastry cake filled with custard), often accompanied by coffee from Lecce (cold coffee and almond syrup).
Salento also boasts a rich wine tradition. The typical wines of Lecce include the reds Primitivo di Manduria, Negroamaro and Salice Salentino and the white Malvasia with fruity hints.
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