Lecce, our last of the three-city trip south, is a town of over 95,000 people located in Puglia. It is well-known for its Baroque architecture, a style that began in the late 16th century and is often characterized by large proportions, twisting columns, theatrical effects, bronze and gilding, and extensive use of tromp-l’oeil.
We entered the historical center via Porta San Biagio (St. Blaise Gate).
©blogginginitaly.com
and were immediately met with visions of baroque architecture.
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
The Chiesa di Santa Croce, (the Basilica), was begun in 1353 and eventually completed by 1695.
©blogginginitaly.com
The church has a richly decorated façade with animals, statues, grotesque figures and vegetables, and a large rose window.
©blogginginitaly.com
Side altars are adorned with an abundance of Baroque columns and theatrical effects,
©blogginginitaly.com
while the chapel of St. Antonio is a great example of gilding.
©blogginginitaly.com
Lecce is a city where old meets “new”:
©blogginginitaly.com
The Roman 2nd century amphitheater was able to seat more than 25,000 people. It is now half-buried because other monuments were built above it over the centuries. The theatre is currently used for different religious and arts events.
©blogginginitaly.com
The biggest surprise came when we found out our hotel, Torre del Parco, is one of the medieval symbols of Lecce. It was erected in 1419 by the then-18 year old prince of Lecce, Giovanni Antonio Del Balzo Orsini.
©blogginginitaly.com
The tower, standing more than 75 feet, is surrounded by a ditch in which bears (the heraldic symbol of the Orsini del Balzo) were reared.
The whole complex was the seat of Orsini’s tribunal and of a mint, and after Giovanni Antonio’s death, it became a residence for the Spanish viceroys. Over the intervening years, and with the addition of acreage, it functioned as many historical places, including a grand tribunal, a palazzo, and even a prison.
From 1992 – 2006, the current restoration took place and it was reopened as a small private hotel, banquet facility, spa, meeting center, and just wonderful place to relax.
We visited the tower and were surprised by what we found…
a chapel,
©blogginginitaly.com
modern meeting space,
©blogginginitaly.com
small banquet rooms,
©blogginginitaly.com
and an interesting antique carriage. (Thanks, Susan, for posing.)
©blogginginitaly.com
The bridge from the tower to the hotel facilities crosses one of the main roads in town,
©blogginginitaly.com
and provides several spaces for relaxing and wine sipping.
©blogginginitaly.com
The hotel grounds, complete with palms and flowers everywhere, were a total surprise.
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
After sight-seeing all day, and since it was our last night, we decided to “eat in” and enjoy the surroundings.
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit the spa, but the made-to-order breakfast and freshly squeezed blood orange juice were perfect for our last morning.
©blogginginitaly.com
©blogginginitaly.com
Alberobello Trulli, Matera Caves, and the loveliness of Lecce, three amazing locations in southern Italy offering thousands of years of history, beauty and intrigue – so very worth a visit.
Ciao,
Judy
