Province of Lecce

Best of the Province of Lecce

Lecce Province Unmissables

Explore the Salento peninsula, characterized by the intricate Lecce Baroque architecture of its provincial capital and a coastline of limestone cliffs and sandy shores. This selection highlights the Roman heritage of Lecce, including its 2nd-century amphitheater and theater, alongside the defensive fortifications of Otranto and Gallipoli. Natural landmarks range from the turquoise waters of the Grotta della Poesia to the southern tip at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet.

Lecce Province Unmissables — Map

Angel Giménez / CC-BY-SA

A

Poetry Cave

A natural karst sinkhole and archaeological site in Roca Vecchia. This circular limestone pool is connected to the open sea by an underwater tunnel and is a popular spot for cliff jumping.

Renano / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Lecce Cathedral

Lecce Cathedral is the cathedral of the city of Lecce in Apulia, Italy, dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Livioandronico2013 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Anfiteatro Romano di Lecce

A 2nd-century AD Roman amphitheater located in the city's central square. Partially excavated in the early 1900s, it once seated 25,000 spectators and still hosts cultural performances today.

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

D

Palazzo dei Celestini

A 16th-century Baroque palace that served as a Celestine monastery for three hundred years. Designed by Giuseppe Zimbalo, the facade features the elaborate stone carvings characteristic of the region.

Tango7174 / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce

Basilica di Santa Croce is a Baroque style church that was completed in 1695 in Lecce, Apulia, Italy.

MatthiasKabel / CC BY 2.5

F

Castello Aragonese

A 15th-century defensive fortress built by the Aragonese over earlier Byzantine and Norman foundations. It features thick perimeter walls, three cylindrical towers, and a bastion overlooking the harbor.

Lupiae / CC BY-SA 3.0

G

Castello Angioino

A coastal fortress dating back to the 11th century, modified by the Angevins and Aragonese. It stands at the entrance to Gallipoli's old town island, surrounded almost entirely by the Ionian Sea.

H

Le Maldive del Salento

A stretch of coastline near Marina di Pescoluse known for its shallow, turquoise waters and fine white sand dunes, often compared to tropical environments.

Luca Margheriti / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Spiaggia di Porto Badisco

A small rocky inlet south of Otranto. According to Virgil's Aeneid, this sheltered cove was the first landing place of the hero Aeneas in Italy.

Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 4.0

J

Capo Santa Maria di Leuca

The southern extremity of the Salento peninsula, home to a 47-meter-high lighthouse and the Basilica Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, marking the symbolic meeting point of two seas.

Psymark / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Torre dell'Orso

A coastal resort area featuring a 16th-century watchtower and the 'Two Sisters' sea stacks. The site is known for its crescent-shaped bay and surrounding pine groves.

Colar / Public domain

L

Castle of Charles V

The Castle of Charles V, also known as the Castello di Lecce, is a castle in Lecce, Italy.

M

Porta Napoli

A triumphal arch built in 1548 to honor Emperor Charles V. It marks the main entrance to the historic center and stands on the site where the ancient road to Naples began.

Lupiae / CC BY-SA 3.0

N

Porta San Biagio

One of the three remaining historical gates of the city, rebuilt in 1774. Dedicated to Saint Blaise, it features a Baroque facade and leads into the southern quarter of the old town.

Leandro Catelli / CC-BY-SA

O

Porta Rudiae

The oldest and most ornate city gate, rebuilt in 1703. It is decorated with statues of the city's mythical founders and its patron saints, including Saint Oronzo.

MatthiasKabel / CC BY 2.5

P

Otranto Cathedral

Otranto Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in the Italian city of Otranto, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary.

Colar / Public domain

Q

Basilica di San Pietro

A 10th-century Byzantine church containing well-preserved frescoes. Its Greek-cross plan and central dome represent some of the finest examples of Eastern religious architecture in Apulia.

R

Teatro Romano di Lecce

A 1st-century AD Roman theater discovered in 1929. The semi-circular cavea, which could accommodate 5,000 people, was carved directly into the local limestone.

Marzoide88 / CC-BY-SA-3.0

S

Sedile

A 16th-century Renaissance building in the central square that formerly served as the town hall. It features large pointed arches and was once the seat of the city's Venetian governors.

Martina Kellnerová / CC-BY-SA

T

Piazza Sant'Oronzo

The main square of the city, featuring a large mosaic of the civic coat of arms and a 29-meter column supporting the bronze statue of Saint Oronzo.

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