Lecce

Located in the heart of Salento, Lecce attracts and captivates Italian and international visitors with its history and splendid buildings constructed using the famous Lecce stone. Known as the "capital of Baroque," the city boasts a truly unique architectural, historical, and natural heritage. Elegant, charming, and welcoming, Lecce is certainly a must-see during a trip to Salento. The city has truly ancient origins, believed to date back to the Messapian era. It was later conquered by the Romans, who built a forum, a theater, an amphitheater, and an outlet to the sea with Porto Adriano, now the San Cataldo marina. Subsequently, the city was dominated by the Ostrogoths, Saracens, Lombards, and Slavs, and for centuries was overshadowed by the importance of Otranto, the capital of Byzantine rule. Under Norman rule, the city regained its reputation as an important commercial center, becoming the capital of Salento and the site of the Norman court. From this period onward, with the Swabian, Angevin, and Aragonese dominations, the city's importance continued to grow. Under the Aragonese, in particular, the city became a veritable open-air museum, promoting the construction of churches, palaces, and works of great value that we can still admire today. It was during Spanish rule that the buildings were constructed in a distinctive Baroque architectural style known as "Lecce Baroque." A key element in the construction of these works was the use of a local limestone, known as Lecce stone, which features warm, golden hues. Today the city is a true jewel and has managed to preserve evidence ranging from the Roman era to the Renaissance.