You will arrive in the ancient\u00a0Lupiae<\/strong>, as the Romans called it, the city of stylistic excess, scenic splendor, and that embraces visitors all-year-round. It is located in the heel of Italy, a narrow strip of land dividing the Ionian and Adriatic Seas! Admire its baroque churches, the art of papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 and Lecce stonework. Enjoy food and wine delicacies, breathtaking views, and the fun of the nightlife. Lecce is a university town, full of young people and people-friendly \u2013 you can easily visit it in a day, including an out-of-town trip to a coastal destination.<\/p>\n Here are ten things to do and see on a day trip to Lecce:<\/strong><\/p>\n Where is Lecce in Italy?<\/span><\/p>\n Where to stay and what to eat in Lecce<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Nestled in <\/span>the heel of Italy’s boot,<\/span><\/a> Lecce is a gem of a city in the Puglia region<\/a>, renowned for its rich history and baroque architecture that captivates visitors from around the globe. Known affectionately as the “<\/span>Florence of the South,<\/i><\/b>” Lecce is distinguished by its intricate stonework and <\/span>grandiose churches,<\/span><\/a> which showcase the skill of local artisans. As you wander through its charming streets, you’ll be mesmerized by the ornate facades and elaborate interiors that reflect the city’s storied past.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With a <\/span>population of around 95,000,<\/b> Lecce maintains <\/span>a cozy, small-town<\/b> feel while offering all the cultural richness one would expect from a larger city. Whether exploring the ancient Roman amphitheater, savoring the local cuisine or enjoying the vibrant art scene, <\/span>Lecce is definitely worth a visit.<\/b><\/p>\n Lecce’s weather adds another layer of charm to this already captivating city, making it an <\/span>ideal destination almost year-round<\/b>. The <\/span>Mediterranean climate<\/b> ensures mild winters and warm, sun-filled summers, perfect for exploring the historic sites and enjoying outdoor dining in one of the city’s many picturesque piazzas. <\/span>Spring<\/b><\/a> and autumn are particularly delightful<\/b> times to visit, with comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, allowing you to immerse yourself in Lecce’s rich cultural tapestry and laid-back lifestyle. <\/span>Whether basking in <\/b>the summer sun<\/b><\/a> or enjoying the gentle breezes of spring, Lecce’s welcoming weather complements its stunning architecture and vibrant<\/span> street life<\/b>, ensuring a pleasant visit for all.<\/span><\/p>\n Start this day tour of\u00a0Lecce\u00a0<\/strong>from the historic center and specifically from\u00a0Porta Napoli<\/strong>, an\u00a0Arch of Triumph<\/strong>\u00a0city gate erected in 1548 in honor of\u00a0Charles V<\/strong>, with the 19th-century\u00a0Obelisk\u00a0<\/strong>facing it. Enter the old town and admire the\u00a0Church of San Luigi Gonzaga<\/strong>, the 19th-century\u00a0Paisiello Theater<\/strong>, a typical example of an Italianate structure, and the splendid Baroque\u00a0Palazzo Palmieri<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Continue your walk through the most beautiful streets of the old town and admire the facades of the splendid noble palaces, and don\u2019t miss a visit to the <\/span>craft stores<\/b><\/a>. Here you will find objects in papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 and Lecce stone made by local artisans. Continue on foot and pause to look at and visit the <\/span>Church of Santa Maria della Provvidenza<\/b>, the Church of <\/span>Santa Maria di Costantinopoli<\/b>, the <\/span>Church of San Niccol\u00f2 dei Greci, <\/b>the <\/span>Palazzo Adorno <\/b>and the <\/span>Basilica of Santa Croce, <\/b>the symbol of the city and of Lecce Baroque with the adjoining former <\/span>Convent of the Celestines<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Reach the central hub of the city, <\/span>Piazza Sant\u2019Oronzo<\/b>, the beating heart of city life, and admire the famous column of the patron saint and the Roman Amphitheater. From there, proceed to <\/span>Piazzetta Vittorio Emanuele II<\/b>, also known as Piazzetta Santa Chiara, a veritable treasure trove of art, and admire the church of the same name. From the small square, which is characterized by a <\/span>bustling nightlife<\/b>, proceed either to the Roman Theater or to Lecce\u2019s second gate: Porta San Biagio without missing the Church of San Matteo, Palazzo Vernazza and Palazzo Giustiniani.<\/span><\/p>\n Then head to the scenic <\/span>Cathedral Square <\/b>and see the <\/span>Cathedral<\/b>\u2018s opulent side facade and its tall <\/span>Bell Tower<\/b>, the <\/span>15th-century Bishop\u2019s Palace <\/b>and the <\/span>Seminary Building dating from the <\/b>18th century, now home to the <\/span>Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art<\/b>, <\/span>the Innocentian Library <\/b>and the<\/span> Diocesan Historical Archives<\/b>. From here, finish the tour of the historic center in <\/span>Porta Rudiae, <\/b>the oldest and most interesting of Lecce\u2019s city gates<\/span>. <\/b>During your stroll, admire the three churches that precede it: <\/span>Church of Santa Teresa, Church of Sant\u2019Anna <\/b>and the <\/span>Basilica of the Rosary<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re a garden lover, immerse yourself in the city\u2019s green lung, the <\/span>Villa Comunale of Lecce<\/b>, known as <\/span>the Villa della Lupa<\/b>, and if you\u2019re in the mood for some shopping, head for the most modern part of the city, <\/span>Piazza Mazzini <\/b>surrounded by many stores with its majestic <\/span>Fountain<\/b> in the center.<\/span><\/p>\n Reach the central hub of the city, Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the beating heart of city life, and admire the famous column of the patron saint and the Roman Amphitheater. From there, proceed to Piazzetta Vittorio Emanuele II, also known as Piazzetta Santa Chiara, a veritable treasure trove of art, and admire the church of the same name. From the small square, which is characterized by a bustling nightlife, proceed either to the Roman Theater or to Lecce’s second gate: Porta San Biagio without missing the Church of San Matteo, Palazzo Vernazza and Palazzo Giustiniani.<\/p>\n Then head to the scenic\u00a0Cathedral Square\u00a0<\/strong>and see the\u00a0Cathedral<\/strong>‘s opulent side facade and its tall\u00a0Bell Tower<\/strong>, the\u00a015th-century Bishop’s Palace\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0Seminary Building dating from the\u00a0<\/strong>18th century, now home to the\u00a0Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art<\/strong>,\u00a0the Innocentian Library\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0Diocesan Historical Archives<\/strong>.<\/p>\n From here, finish the tour of the historic center in\u00a0Porta Rudiae,\u00a0<\/strong>the oldest and most interesting of Lecce’s city gates.\u00a0<\/strong>During your stroll, admire the three churches that precede it:\u00a0Church of Santa Teresa, Church of Sant’Anna\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0Basilica of the Rosary<\/strong>.<\/p>\n If you’re a garden lover, immerse yourself in the city’s green lung, the\u00a0Villa Comunale of Lecce<\/strong>, known as\u00a0the Villa della Lupa<\/strong>, and if you’re in the mood for some shopping, head for the most modern part of the city,\u00a0Piazza Mazzini\u00a0<\/strong>surrounded by many stores with its majestic\u00a0Fountain<\/strong>\u00a0in the center.<\/p>\n One of the must-see destinations on your visit to Lecce is in the heart of the city, in\u00a0Piazza Sant’Oronzo<\/strong>: the\u00a0Roman Amphitheater<\/strong>, which testifies to the importance attained by the\u00a0ancient Lupiae\u00a0<\/strong>in the Age of Imperial Rome. The Amphitheater was discovered in the early 20th century, and you can see about a third of the original building, with part of the arena and cavea, while the remainder is hidden partly under the present square and partly under the blocks where the\u00a0Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie<\/strong>, the\u00a0Sedile \u2013 the Seat \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>and Renaissance-style buildings stand. The large Roman structure was capable of accommodating about 20,000 spectators who watched gladiator fights and simulated hunts of wild animals brought in by sea and landed at the\u00a0Port of San Cataldo<\/strong>.In modern times it has been used as a place to stage the\u00a0winters Nativity scene<\/strong>, for musical and theatrical events during the summer, and to celebrate the victories of the local\u00a0U.S. Lecce soccer<\/strong>\u00a0team.<\/p>\n Another monument of historical significance that you must not miss is the\u00a0Roman Theater<\/strong>, discovered by chance in 1929 and hidden among the buildings in the Baroque city, a stone’s throw from Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the Duomo. Built in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD, the theater was originally large enough to hold perhaps 5,000 spectators who would attend tragedies and plays there. An interesting fact is that it’s the\u00a0only Roman theater in Puglia\u00a0<\/strong>but despite this, few people know about it. Adjoining the theater, you will find the\u00a0Roman Theater Museum<\/strong>, established by the\u00a0Memmo Foundation<\/strong>, which displays some artifacts found during excavations, the exhibit entitled\u00a0Rome \u2013 a life scene<\/strong>, some theater masks from\u00a0Hadrian’s Villa\u00a0<\/strong>in\u00a0Tivoli<\/strong>, and a model\u00a0of Lecce in the Age of Imperial Rome<\/strong>.<\/p>\n There’s a charge for admission to the Museum, with guided tour on request, Monday through Saturday from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm. Afternoon visits are by reservation only.<\/p>\n After visiting the Roman archaeological finds, stop at Lecce’s most important square:\u00a0Piazza Sant’Oronzo<\/strong>, a square of many different layers and styles that now coexist together. In ancient times, Piazza Sant’Oronzo had a different layout: the location of the current Amphitheater was occupied by a small hamlet that was destroyed during archaeological excavations. Since 1656, the square has been named after the\u00a0patron saint of Lecce<\/strong>,\u00a0Saint Oronzo<\/strong>\u00a0following the ravages of the plague.<\/p>\n Admire the majestic\u00a0Column<\/strong>, 29 meters high, made in Brindisi with materials obtained from two Roman columns. A\u00a0bronze statue dedicated to the patron saint was erected on it in\u00a0<\/strong>1666, designed by\u00a0Giuseppe Zimbalo\u00a0<\/strong>as a votive offering of the citizenry. To the right of the column, you will find the\u00a016th-century Seat<\/strong>, a majestic cubic building, and the small\u00a0Church of St. Mark\u00a0<\/strong>a little late Renaissance jewel from 1543 founded by a Venetian colony. In addition, admire the Fascist architecture of\u00a0the INA Building\u00a0<\/strong>that follows the curve of the Amphitheater, and stroll under its arcades, the\u00a0Bank of Italy Building<\/strong>, and in one corner of the square, remember to take a picture of the\u00a0clock<\/strong>\u00a0with the world’s largest clock face made of bronze and enamel by artist\u00a0Francesco Barbieri<\/strong>.<\/p>\n From Piazza Sant’Oronzo, head for\u00a0Lecce Cathedral<\/strong>and stroll along the\u00a0Corso<\/strong>\u00a0among stores, other historic buildings and the\u00a0Church of St. Irene<\/strong>, named after the city’s patron saint up to 1656. Piazza Duomo, formerly the Roman Forum, is one of the most interesting\u00a0enclosed squares in Italy<\/strong>; it has a single entrance and is flanked by signature Lecce Baroque architecture. Admire the\u00a0Bell Tower<\/strong> and the facades of the\u00a0Cathedral<\/strong>, the\u00a0Episcopate\u00a0<\/strong>and the\u00a0Ancient Seminary<\/strong>. Visit the\u00a0cathedral<\/strong>, founded in 1144, rebuilt in 1230 in Romanesque style, and later in Baroque style by\u00a0Zimbalo\u00a0<\/strong>in 1659, dedicated to Mary of the Assumption. Don’t miss the 92 columns of the\u00a0Crypt<\/strong>, located under the chancel of the cathedral and dedicated to\u00a0Our Lady of the Stairs<\/strong>, dating back to 1517, and the\u00a0Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art\u00a0<\/strong>in the\u00a0Ancient Seminary<\/strong>, where you can admire paintings, sacred silverware, sculptures, liturgical vestments and, in the inner portico, the magnificent\u00a0well<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The museum is open from April to September from 09.00 am to 9.00 pm every day, and from October to March from 09.00 am to 6.00 pm. The ticket cost is \u20ac9 and includes the LeccEcclesiae tour: Duomo, Santa Croce, Santa Chiara, San Matteo and Museum of Sacred Art.<\/p>\n A must-see on your visit to Lecce is the most significant building of Lecce Baroque architecture: the\u00a0Basilica of Santa Croce,\u00a0<\/strong>one of the most important and admired churches in Lecce, completed in 1699. Behold its splendid facade, a veritable manifesto of artistic virtuosity and technical expertise. It affords an unexpected view, a show of stone in which you can notice the splendid\u00a0columns\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0balcony\u00a0<\/strong>with balustrades along with a\u00a0wealth of decorations<\/strong>,\u00a0bas-reliefs<\/strong>, and\u00a0sculptures\u00a0<\/strong>in Lecce stone, the work of\u00a0\n
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Where is Lecce in Italy?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Visit the beauties of Puglia with Italo<\/span><\/a><\/h5>\n
Lecce Weather<\/span><\/h2>\n
What to Do and See in Lecce, Italy?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Lecce Old Town: the gates, churches, and stately buildings<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Centro](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Centro-Storico-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Obelisco](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Obelisco-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Porta](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Porta-San-Biagio-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Porta](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Porta-Rudiae-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Via](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Via-del-Centro-di-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Roman Amphitheater<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"Anfiteatro](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Anfiteatro-Romano-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/a> The Roman Theatre<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Teatro](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Teatro-Romano.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/a> Piazza Sant’Oronzo: the Seat, the Column and the Church of San Marco<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Piazza](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Piazza-SantOronzo-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/a> Piazza Duomo: the Cathedral, the Crypt, the Bell Tower and the Ancient Seminary<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Piazza](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Piazza-Duomo-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/a> Basilica of Santa Croce and the Celestine Convent <\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Basilica](\"https:\/\/blog.italotreno.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Basilica-Lecce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n