Immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the “Florence of the South”, allow yourself to be pleasantly dazzled by the whiteness of the Lecce stone.
The incredible beauty that today Lecce has in store for its visitors is thanks to the 17th century Baroque period, during the Spanish domination and that constantly makes it the top-ranking city to visit in the Apulia area.
It is impossible to summarise the wide variety of beautiful locations to visit in Lecce in only one page, contact us for further information according to the itineraries that are close to your heart and we will have great pleasure in helping you!
The main square in Lecce, the location in the city for social gathering where you can meet for a coffee. Once this was also called the “piazza dei mercanti” (The Merchants’ Square), due to the high numbers of shops that overlooked it; today, it is still a location that must be seen in the city for its harmonious commingling of buildings, with different architectural styles. It is very easy to recognise it: just allow yourself to be guided by the column of St. Oronzo, built in Venice in the 18th century and it is 29 metres tall!
In Piazza Sant’Oronzo, you will also find the remains of the Roman amphitheatre, one of the most important locations in the city, bearing witness to its illustrious past.
The part that today you can admire is only a third of the original size of this monumental masterpiece, that in the 2nd century A.D., a period in which it is expected to have been built, it could have hosted up to 20 thousand spectators.
Going deeper into the old city, wandering through the narrow streets, where areas of beauty and churches can be found on every corner, you will reach Lecce Cathedral, a superb example of the Baroque style and the Lecce stone.
The Cathedral dates back to 1144, yet was completely finished in the 17th century. The 5-floor bell tower is also of the utmost importance; the octagonal dome with the statue of St. Oronzo stands out on the top floor.
This is the real symbol of Baroque art in Lecce, above all thanks to the generous decorations of the main façade, divided into three parts. The beautiful Romanesque-style rose window stands out on the central part of the façade.
At the tour desk present in the hotel, you can book your guided tours to discover all the secrets of Lecce through several itineraries, including:
Cultural Itinerary through the historic city centre of Lecce – duration: 2.5/3 hours
Imagine you are strolling through the streets of the historic city centre with local resident, who knows how to tell you also those anecdotes and stories that you can’t find in books.
Lecce - Gastronomic tour – duration: 2.5/3 hours
Besides the Baroque aspects of this area that are a feast for your eyes, on this itinerary, you can also discover the Baroque aspects that will tickle your tastebuds. The same sunshine that reflects againsts the white of the central buildings, enhances the flavours to be discovered in a tour among housewives and pastry chefs.
You can become the protagonist of the knowledge and flavours of Lecce and the Salento area, by getting hands-on experience at creating typical dishes or tasting the best local wines through Cookery Courses and Wine-tasting Classes. Contact us for further information!
