Love For Lecce: Baroque Splendour & History In Pugliaare

Holidays in Pugliaare hard to beat: soaking up the sun as you admire the distinctive architecture of a place steeped in history, then stopping to enjoy its array of gastronomical delights. And yet the ‘heel’ of Italy remains a lesser-known region of the popular holiday destination. Finding a place that can be described as ‘unspoilt’ is nearly impossible, but the charming city of Lecce is certainly a contender.

Myth and Mortar

Just wandering through the ancient streets of Lecce will give you a sense of the deep history and exquisite beauty of this fascinating city. All around you’ll find remnants of a number of alluring time periods, from the Bronze Age during the time of legendary Troy to its substantial rebuilding by King Hadrian in the second century AD, as well as Saracens and Lombards. It seems Lecce has been a well-known secret almost since history began!

While it’s the food and the people that visitors stay for, it’s the magnificent buildings that catch the eye. Most striking, perhaps, is the Roman amphitheatre that is still in use today, but there are many other examples of the beautiful Baroque architecture that keeps people returning again and again.

·         Piazza Duomo

As in any Italian cosmopolis, it’s the cathedral square that offers a hub for tourists and locals alike. To get your bearings and a feel for the beat of the place, this central square is where to go. Lecce’s Piazza showcases some of its best Baroque sites, all overlooked by the cathedral’s towering bell tower dating back to the 1600s.

·         Basilica di Santa Croce

This two-hundred-year-old church stands majestically, inciting awe from onlookers with its detailed facade that has been carefully chiselled out of local limestone commonly used for the ‘trulli’ houses of the region. The attention to detail is astonishing; look closely and you’ll see exquisite animals and mythical beasts carved into the stone.

Wander and Wonder

For guests on a tour looking for inspiration on how to spend their free time, there is an excellent range of sightseeing options. Go visit Lecce’s most famous resident: its patron saint, Saint Oronzo (or his statue at least). This famous effigy originally marked the end of the renowned Roman road, the Appian Way, that connected all the great cities of the empire. The sculpture was given to Lecce in the seventeenth century, and has watched over the city and tourists on theirholidays in Puglia ever since.

For a more regal affair, step back in time and amble through the impressive halls of the Castello di Carlo V, a stalwart structure made of thick walls and formidable battlements.

While Italy is an obvious choice when planning your summer holidays, in Puglia you’re able to escape the crowds and discover a magical, mesmirising corner of the country. Sounds too good to be true? Why don’t you come and see for yourself!

Author Plate

John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing luxury holidays in Puglia, Bermuda, Croatia and many other destinations around the globe. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.