Nei Dintorni
the ideal place for every kind of holiday
Lecce: a Mediterranean gem
Known as the 'Florence of the south', Lecce is one of the most interesting cities in the region for its typically 17th-century architectural appearance.
Buildings, monuments and stately palaces characterised by a sumptuous and rich ornamental and architectural setting. Restaurants, cafés and bars where you can taste typical Apulian cuisine. But the lands of Lecce do not limit their generosity to the artistic beauties and those of the long sea coast. The hinterland too, with its wide landscapes, natural sites and important prehistoric remains, offers a range of opportunities not to be underestimated for those who decide to spend their holidays in the Salento, one of the spearheads of the Italian tourist scene.
the gastronomic specialities of Lecce and its surroundings
Places to eat
The '300mila Lounge' in Lecce is the best Italian 'Bar of the Year'. It was crowned by Gambero Rosso, which, in its 2018 Guide, rewarded the Apulian venue not only for its coffee and cappuccinos, but "for its innovative entrepreneurial vision, the quality of the overall offer including mixology, the research into raw materials and sensitivity to social issues and environmental sustainability".
In the heart of Lecce's historical centre, surrounded by the ancient and unchanged charm of historic buildings and just a few steps from the central Piazza Sant'Oronzo, stands the Alex Ristorante, where creativity and raw materials chase each other in a dance of emotions on the plate.
A third-generation family restaurant in a magnificent Lecce building with stone walls and medieval décor, this wonderful trattoria serves absolutely delicious Apulian dishes at more than reasonable prices. Start with homemade bread, move on to pasta with swordfish and rapini (turnip greens), and round off the mouth-watering evening with grilled sausages with mushrooms.
The couple behind Baldo Ice Cream produce the best ice cream in Lecce, hands down. Dark chocolate may be the most intensely chocolatey thing you ever put in your mouth.
This courtyard restaurant is definitely one of the best options for eating in Lecce. There are pizzas, but why should you when the fish is so good? Try the raw seafood starters (sparkling raw scallops, Gallipoli red prawns and whatever else the market of the day suggests).
The enchantment of lecce and the magic of salento
What to visit
Discover the heel of Italy's boot, the so-called Salento with its white sandy beaches located between the Ionian and Adriatic coasts and a crystal-clear sea similar to that of the Maldives. Here you will find Lecce, called the Florence of the South because of its Baroque architecture that characterises all the palaces, churches and squares of the city. The itinerary continues along the Adriatic coast to the south with a stop in Otranto with its Romanesque architecture and then at the Zinzulusa cave, one of the most interesting and famous karstic caves in Apulia. The tour ends in Gallipoli, on the Ionian coast, appreciated not only for its beautiful beaches, entertainment and nightlife, but also for its Baroque centre.
Descend through Lecce's rich historical layers in this fascinating museum-turned-home, where excavations of sewers led to the chance discovery of an archaeological treasure trove. Deeper finds take you back to the Messapii culture of the 5th century BC; then climb through Roman crypts, medieval walls, Jewish insignia and Templar symbols in the rooftop tower.
La ricostruzione di Giuseppe Zimbalo del 1659 della cattedrale originale del 12 ° secolo di Lecce è riconosciuta come la sua opera più bella. Lo Zimbalo, il famoso architetto leccese del XVII secolo, fu anche responsabile del campanile a torre, alto 72 metri. La cattedrale è insolita in quanto ha due facciate, una sul lato occidentale e l’altra, più ornata, di fronte alla piazza. È incorniciato dal seicentesco Palazzo Vescovile (Palazzo Vescovile) e dal Seminario settecentesco, progettato da Giuseppe Cino.
Piazza del Duomo is a Baroque feast, the focal point of the city and a sudden open space between the surrounding alleys. During periods of invasion, the inhabitants of Lecce barricaded themselves in the square, which has conveniently narrow entrances. The 12th century cathedral of Lecce, the bishop's palace and the museum of sacred art face each other in silent dignity across the square.
A remarkable 15th-century church, renovated in Baroque style between 1687 and 1691, Santa Chiara is one of the most important and admired churches in Lecce. Inside, every niche and surface swirls with twisting columns and ornate statues. The ceiling is an 18th century Lecce papier-mâché (papier-mâché) disguised as wood.
The beautifully restored 15th-century monastery of Santa Chiara houses this civic museum and gallery and offers a splendid view of the Roman theatre from the window at the back. Exhibitions focus on the history of Lecce, from the Messapians 2500 years ago to the present day, while the work of modern Lecce artists hangs in the gallery on the ground floor.
