{"id":912,"date":"2022-04-14T04:04:43","date_gmt":"2022-04-14T04:04:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/?p=912"},"modified":"2022-04-14T04:04:43","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T04:04:43","slug":"city-of-arts-lecce-with-baroque-treasures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zainoo.com\/blog\/en\/2022\/04\/14\/city-of-arts-lecce-with-baroque-treasures\/","title":{"rendered":"City of arts Lecce with baroque treasures"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever been to the \u201cFlorence of the south\u201d? Lecce carries this soubriquet (\u201cFlorence of the rococo\u201d is another popular one) with pride. The Apulian city is situated on the Salento peninsula and among the southernmost places in all of Italy. Wine and tobacco grow well in this particularly warm climate. Additionally, this still very wealthy city is an important military centre with its own airport and training ground as well as other facilities you\u2019ll discover during a walking tour. And this walk is quite something as the city of arts Lecce will surprise you with architectural highlights ranging from Roman times to more recent additions.<\/p>\n

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From Troy to baroque art<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\u00a9Bigstock.com\/SchnepfPictures\"

\u00a9Bigstock.com\/SchnepfPictures<\/p><\/div>\n

You\u2019re probably wondering how Lecce became this underrated gem. It actual origin is the stuff of myths and legends as the city supposedly already existed during the Trojan War and was allegedly founded by the Messapian king Malemnius in 1211 BC. Continuing this legendary origin story, Licitus Idomeneus occupied the city after the destruction of Troy and gave it both its name and the Greek culture. However, it remains unknown when Lecce was actually founded. The Romans conquered the area in the 3rd<\/sup> century BC and called it Lupiae. Emperor Hadrian later had the city moved three kilometres to the northeast. By then, it was known as Licea or Litium. Saint Oronzo advanced the Christianisation of the region during the 1st<\/sup> century AD. He has been venerated as the city\u2019s patron saint since the plague epidemic of 1658.<\/p>\n

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Lecce remained part of the Eastern Roman Empire for over five centuries even after the Western Empire had fallen, notwithstanding a couple of intermittent conquests. It took the Norman\u2019s conquest of Southern Italy to finally put an end to this affiliation. By uniting with Conversano, the seemingly dozy County of Lecce began its slow rise in 1360 leading to a magnificent heyday from 1550 to 1750. Charles V made the city his administrative centre of the Salento and fortified it. The iconic Lecce baroque style was born and spread across the entire cityscape in no time. The \u201cFlorence of the south\u201d managed to retain this classic look to this very day.<\/p>\n

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The cathedral<\/strong><\/p>\n

Your wanderings of Lecce will lead you to a plethora of impressive monuments of classic architecture. The city cathedral, also known as Duomo di Lecce or Cattedrale dell\u2019Assunzione della Virgine, is one of our personal favourites. Now a baroque masterpiece, this structure is way older than you might think at first glance. Built in 1144 and renovated in 1230, the cathedral was rebuilt in 1659 at the bishop\u2019s disposition. The main portal is widely regarded as a baroque masterpiece. Statues, pillars and pilasters grace the main entrance.<\/p>\n

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A monumental building with a layout modelled after a Latin cross awaits you on the inside. Several paintings by Giuseppe da Brindisi depict Saint Oronzo and the salvation from the plague epidemic. The main altar is dedicated to the city\u2019s patron saint. An incredible twelve small chapels, each with altars and elaborate artistic designs, can be found inside the cathedral. The slightly slanting 17th<\/sup> century belltower tops out at 72 metres. On clear days you can even see the Albanian mountain ranges beyond the Adriatic Sea.<\/p>\n

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Churches and basilicas in Leece<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\u00a9Bigstock.com\/Cordeschi\"

\u00a9Bigstock.com\/Cordeschi<\/p><\/div>\n

The imposing cathedral alone would be reason enough to visit Lecce, but that\u2019s just the sacral start, if you will. Many additional churches and basilicas line your tour of the Apulian city of arts. Here are another three personal favourites you shouldn\u2019t miss out on:<\/p>\n