Lecce, Italy

Experience Lecce

Lecce dazzles with elaborately carved facades and interiors that erupt with symphonies of angels, cherubs, saints, saviors and Madonnas. But this small gem in Italy’s heel is far from a haven of monkish abstinence. A capital of southern Italian cooking, the city brims with rustic restaurants serving the hearty peasant cuisine and robust red wines of the Puglia (Apulia in English) region. Throw in a buzzing bar scene and nearby beaches of sun-bronzed bodies and you have a city fit for holy men and hedonists alike.

 

In other words, Lecce literally has something to offer everyone without the downsides of a large city. For instance, this destination is for those who appreciate amazing vistas while enjoying the warm, sparkling, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.  

 

From another viewpoint, the city of Lecce offers a rich cultural blend of Roman, Byzantine, Norman and Greek histories of dominance in the area.

  • It is the main city of the southern Salentine Peninsula, a sub-peninsula at the heel of the Italian Peninsula and is over 2,000 years old.
  • Lecce has about 95,000 residents.
  • Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed “The Florence of the South”.
  • “Lecce stone” is the city’s main export, because it is very soft and malleable kind of limestone, thus suitable for sculptures.
  • Lecce has a Mediterranean climate, averaging the low 80’s from May to September.

There are a multitude of hotel options in the city.  There is something to meet every financial, cultural and historical need. VoomaGo has worked with our network of Locals and partnered with a few vetted accommodations and options. When we’re building your trip with you, we can discuss the availability and right fit for your needs.

 

For a real unique Experience, you may be interested in A Weekend in Lecce:  History, Food and the Arts

A day in Lecce…

If your area of interest is in touring religious architecture then Lecce is heaven for you. The Cathedral is one of the most significant of its kind in Italy, originally built in 1144, and rebuilt in 1230. The most important yet is the Church of the Holy Cross, started in 1353, but work was halted until 1549, to be completed only in 1695. The church has a richly decorated façade with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables, and a large rose window. Lecce also offers some great examples of ancient architecture, The Roman Amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century and situated near Sant’Oronzo Square, was able to seat more than 25,000 people.

Don’t miss out on sampling local produces in various restaurants and cafes including the famous Pasticciotto di Lecce.

Experiences in Lecce