Highlights of Lecce
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Port
Brindisi (Lecce), Italy
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$110
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
An air-conditioned panoramic drive to the Baroque city of Lecce takes about an hour. Lecce is set in the very heart of the Salento region -- the heel of Italy's boot -- and was founded by the Messapii (pre-Roman population) in the 5th century BC. It grew in importance after the Roman conquest in the 3rd century BC.
This city of historical and architectural treasures aptly calls itself "the Florence of the South." It's like an open-air museum, with an abundance of churches and noble palaces, made even more elegant and refined by the ornate decorations carved out of rich Leccese stone that is known for its sun-kissed color, evocative of clover honey.
At Piazza St Oronzo, you'll see the Roman amphitheatre built in the 2nd century AD. It once held up to 20,000 spectators. Close by are the Saint Oronzo and the Roman columns that marked the end of the Appian Way.
Walk through the city center with your guide to discover the remarkable Leccese Baroque architectural style. From the 16th to the 18th century, Lecce flourished under a period of great splendor and was duly embellished with Rococo and Baroque monuments. The local fine-grained limestone was particularly easy to work, making the creation of decorative relief and delicate detail relatively easy.
You will visit the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral and the Santa Croce Basilica, which is sumptuously decorated -- a triumph of Baroque art in Lecce.
Admire the impressive façade of the Governor's Palace -- once a monastery of the Celestine monks -- and the Marrese Palace.
Pause for a snack called taralli (similar to salty pretzels) and locally-grown olives accompanied by a glass of wine.
You will have 30 - 45 minutes of free time for shopping, browsing, and taking photos before you rejoin your guide and drive back to Brindisi.
Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring local currency, as many vendors do not accept credit cards or US dollars.