In a nutshell

They call it the lady of the Baroque and you’ll see why on this walking tour of Lecce. Your local guide will show you the splendor of Lecce stone in Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the Duomo. But it’s in front of Sant’Irene, Santa Croce and the Palazzo dei Celestini that you’ll feel like you’re dreaming with your eyes open. And before returning, you’ll still have some time to enjoy this marvel.

Main stops

Walking tour of Lecce: Piazza Sant’Oronzo; Piazza del Duomo; Santa Croce Basilica; Palazzo dei Celestini
Church of Sant’Irene: internal visit
Free time

The programme

Lecce is an open-air museum and with your local guide you’ll discover the finest works obtained from Lecce stone.
You start from Piazza Sant’Oronzo, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. His statue is right in the middle, and around it you’ll see the church of Santa Maria della Grazia, the Roman amphitheater and the Palazzo del Seggio.
Close by is the church of Sant’Irene dei Teatini. While the exterior may seem simple, it doesn’t hold anything back inside, featuring an altar decorated with Solomonic columns.
The wonders don’t cease in Piazza del Duomo, where you’re surprised by an inlaid entrance, actually the side entrance. Here you also see the Palazzi del Vescovado and Seminario: you’ve got just enough time to take a photo, then head straight for two of the most extraordinary buildings of today.
You could pass days in front of the facades of Santa Croce and the Palazzo dei Celestini and always be spotting new details. It’s no coincidence that they’re among those that receive the most admiration in the city.
Now you can decide yourself whether to go back over what you’ve seen or explore new streets. Of course, when you’re surrounded by such beauty that’s a truly difficult decision.

Good to know

Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the experience.