A breathtaking baroque city, Lecce instantly enchants you on your arrival. A city nestled amongst 17th century architecture, not far from the Adriatic Sea, Lecce is often referred to as the ‘Florence of the South’. What you’ll find most fascinating about Lecce, particularly in the historical centre, is the blonde tones of the local stone used on the buildings, giving you the impression they are drenched in golden hour sunlight.
Discover Lecce and its history
Lecce is defined by small piazze, columns, arches in the baroque style with amazing and unexpected alleyways – all a wonderful surprise when visiting this city. A city dating back to the 5th Century BC, Lecce was destroyed and rebuilt across the centuries – and over time grew in importance, becoming a cultural centre welcoming merchants from all over the world. In the early 1500’s, during the reign of Charles V, Lecce became one of the most important baroque cities in Europe (this was taking place about the same time Michelangelo was painting in the Sistine Chapel in Rome).
What to see when visiting the baroque city of Lecce?
This amazing city is all about its architecture, so be prepared to be on building-watch during your visit. From grand city entry-gates (there are four of them, with the oldest being Porta Rudiae where the city’s founders decorate the columns), stunning cobblestone piazze embraced by the stunning golden architecture, and Cathedrals featuring gothic character so rich is appearance you stand looking at them in awe.
Piazza del Duomo features in the historical centre where the Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and the Bell Tower demand your attention and keep it for more than a few moments and continue to do so as you explore the Piazza’s surroundings. Exploring this Piazza is recommended at golden-hour (a little before sunset) – it is spectacular.
Also, not to miss is the Basilica of the Holy Cross and the Convento dei Celestini, its baroque architecture at its finest featuring stone sculptures, floral friezes and a large carved rose window – WOW! It is difficult to stop talking about the architecture in Lecce, but the last recommendation is Basilica di Santa Croce, the city’s first baroque-style building, a gem holding great historical, artistic and cultural importance.
What else is Lecce known for?
Let’s not forget to mention the city’s love for paper mâché, you heard right, paper mâché. Seen as a noble art, paper mâché has been prominent in Lecce for generations, handed down across generations, typically associated with festivities. There are a few places in the centre which offer paper mâché workshops for those keen to explore the art.
A taste of Lecce Tradition: Food & wine of the region
The region’s cuisine is heavily influenced by its agricultural bounty and coastal proximity, resulting in a diverse and mouth-watering array of flavours.
For the savoury lovers – you must try the Puccia bread, stuffed olives, offering a perfect blend of chewy texture and rich, briny flavour. The Rustico is another savoury delight, a medallion of puff pastry stuffed with béchamel sauce and tomato.
For the sweet lovers – you cannot go past the local Pasticciotto, made of a ‘melt in your mouth’ shortcrust pastry filled with the egg custard cream. We have spent many an afternoon eating our fair share of this delicious treat accompanied by another local tradition, the refreshing Leccese coffee. A classic espresso poured over ice with almond milk- the perfect drink to have a hot summers day.
Being a town close to the sea, Lecce restaurants are bursting with the region’s most loved seafood dishes. A standout dish is La Quataru. A hearty seafood stew with courgettes and cherry tomatoes, offering a blend of fresh and savory notes. It takes its name from the large copper pot from which it was traditionally prepared by the local fisherman called in the local dialect ‘La Quatara’ which are still in use today.
No culinary journey in Lecce would be complete without exploring its wine offerings. The region, with its sun-soaked vineyards, is renowned for producing some of Italy’s finest wines. Among these, Primitivo stands out as one of the most celebrated varieties. Primitivo wine is known for its intense flavor profile, with notes of dark fruit and spice. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, from rich meats to hearty pastas. Another notable wine from the region is Negroamaro, another robust red wine, known for its deep colour and complex flavour.
Lecce, with its rich culinary traditions and exquisite wines, offers a feast for the senses that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Restaurant Recommendation from VIT tour leader Gianni: “There are so many great local eateries in Lecce. One of our favourites when we are visiting the city is 00 Doppio Zero. We ate there again with our small group of travellers in September and it never fails to deliver. Quality local dishes in a beautiful setting and a very central location not too far away from the Piazza Duomo. My favourite dish to try is Fave e Cicoria. It is a dish my Nonna and great Aunt used to make regularly and is synonymous with the ‘cucina povera’ so typical of southern Italy. Wash it down with a glass of local Primitivo red wine and it will be a lunch experience to remember.”
If the baroque city of Lecce sounds like a city you would like to explore, Vita Italian Tours can take you there on the exclusive Spectacular South – Puglia, Abruzzo & Matera small group tour. An intimate small group tour with an extended stay discovering Lecce and all of Salento. Get away from the crowds and experience Italy like a local.
If independent travel is more your style, allow Vita Italian Tours to plan a tailor-made self-drive or chauffeur driven private itinerary/tour for you to Lecce and its surrounds.
Contact us to enquire today.
