The Piazzetta Arco di Trionfo in Lecce is a charming and historically significant square that takes its name from one of the city’s most iconic monuments, the Porta Napoli, often referred to as the Arco di Trionfo. Located at the northern edge of Lecce’s historic centre, this space has long served as a symbolic gateway into the city, linking the baroque splendor of Lecce’s streets with the wider Salento region. Today, the piazzetta combines historical memory with the lively atmosphere of a cultural and social hub, making it a favourite stop for both visitors and locals. The Arco di Trionfo itself was erected in 1548 in honor of Emperor Charles V, who played a decisive role in strengthening Lecce’s defences during the sixteenth century.

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Piazzetta Arco di Trionfo, click the image.

The Via Giuseppe Palmieri in Lecce is one of the city’s most elegant and historically significant streets, a thoroughfare that embodies both the grandeur of Lecce’s baroque heritage and the refinement of later architectural styles. Stretching through the northern section of the historic centre, the street connects two symbolic landmarks: the Porta Napoli, also known as the Arco di Trionfo, and the Piazza Giuseppe Mazzini, one of Lecce’s main modern squares. This dual role, as both a historic axis and a bridge between past and present—makes Via Palmieri a fascinating space where the city’s identity can be fully appreciated. The street is named after Giuseppe Palmieri, an 18th-century economist, reformer, and statesman from Lecce who became one of the most respected intellectuals of the Kingdom of Naples.

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Via Giuseppe Palmieri, click the image.

The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, more commonly known as the Cathedral of Lecce, is one of the city’s most majestic landmarks and a masterpiece of southern Italian Baroque. Situated in the Piazza del Duomo, it stands as the spiritual and architectural heart of Lecce, embodying centuries of history, devotion, and artistry. The cathedral is not only a place of worship but also a symbol of the city’s identity, where faith and artistic genius come together in perfect harmony. The original cathedral was built in 1144 under Bishop Formoso, reflecting the Romanesque style typical of the period. Over the centuries, it underwent several modifications, but the most decisive transformation came in the 17th century, when architect Giuseppe Zimbalo, one of the leading figures of the Lecce Baroque, was commissioned to redesign it. Between 1659 and 1670, Zimbalo created the cathedral as we see it today, a dazzling example of exuberant yet harmonious decoration, which has made it one of the most celebrated works of Baroque art in the Salento region.

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Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, click the image.

The Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra in Lecce is a cultural treasure that brings together the city’s deep religious heritage and its extraordinary artistic tradition. Located within the episcopal complex of the Piazza del Duomo, the museum is housed in part of the historic Episcopal Palace, just steps away from the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. This privileged position reflects the museum’s close relationship with the spiritual and civic life of Lecce, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore centuries of sacred art in an evocative setting. The museum was established to preserve, protect, and showcase the wealth of artworks that have accumulated in the diocese over the centuries.

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Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra, click the image.

The Via Vittorio Emanuele II is one of the most important and historic streets in Lecce, a vibrant axis that connects some of the city’s most emblematic spaces and monuments. Running through the heart of the old town, this elegant street links the Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the civic centre of Lecce, with the Piazza del Duomo, home to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. For centuries, it has been a pathway of power, faith, and daily life, making it an essential stop for anyone who wishes to understand the identity of the “Florence of the South.”  The street is named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of a unified Italy, a dedication that reflects Lecce’s participation in the national story of the Risorgimento.

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Via Vittorio Emanuele II, click the image.

The Chiesa del Gesù, also known as the Church of Jesus or the Gesuiti Church, is one of the most remarkable examples of Baroque architecture in Lecce. Situated in the heart of the historic centre, near the bustling Piazza Sant’Oronzo, this church embodies the grandeur and spirituality that define Lecce’s artistic identity. Built in the late 16th century and completed in the early 17th century, it stands as a testimony to the influence of the Jesuit order in the city and their role in promoting art, education, and religious life. The construction of the church began in 1575, designed by the architect Giovanni De Rosis with support from the Jesuits, who had recently arrived in Lecce.

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Chiesa del Gesù, click the image.

The Roman Amphitheatre in Lecce is one of the city’s most fascinating and important archaeological sites, a striking reminder of the ancient roots of this Baroque capital. Situated in the central Piazza Sant’Oronzo, today it appears partially visible, with part of its structure still buried beneath modern buildings. Despite this, the amphitheatre remains a powerful symbol of Lecce’s long history and its role as a prominent centre during the Roman Empire. The amphitheatre was constructed between the first and second centuries AD, during the reigns of the emperors Augustus and Hadrian. At that time, the city of Lupiae, the Roman name for Lecce, enjoyed prosperity as a strategic settlement in the Salento region, benefiting from its location on important trade routes.

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The Roman Amphitheatre, click the image.

The Giardini Pubblici in Lecce, also known as the Villa Comunale, is one of the city’s most beloved green spaces and a peaceful retreat from the vibrant life of the historic centre. Located near Piazza Sant’Oronzo and close to the bustling shopping streets, the gardens offer both locals and visitors a place to relax, stroll, and enjoy the beauty of nature surrounded by architectural elegance. Designed in the nineteenth century, the Giardini Pubblici reflect the taste for landscaped parks that spread across Europe during that period, combining decorative design with a civic function. The gardens were laid out in 1830, under the direction of the architect Oronzo Bernardini.

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Giardini Pubblici, click the image.