Things to Do and See in Lecce

The province of Lecce is situated in an almost entirely flat area, is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and has over 200 kilometers of coastline. The coastline is high and rocky, with cliffs plunging into the sea along the Adriatic coast from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca and along the Ionian Sea north of Gallipoli. The rest of the coastline is low-lying and sandy. The most famous coastal towns are: San Cataldo, San Foca, Otranto, Santa Cesarea Terme, Santa Maria di Leuca, Lido Marini, Torre San Giovanni, Gallipoli, Porto Cesareo, and Torre Lapillo. The inland area consists of the Salento subregion, whose main towns are: Lecce, Galatina, Maglie, and Nardò. The city center is Piazza del Duomo, with its imposing cathedral, the Archdiocesan Palace, and the Seminary Palace. The city of Lecce is the provincial capital, and its origins date back to Roman times, when it was a city of strategic importance, although it reached its peak of splendor in the 17th century during the Kingdom of Naples. During that period, numerous noble palaces and religious buildings were constructed, all in the Baroque style, giving rise to a new architectural movement known as “Lecce Baroque.” Other monuments of artistic importance include the Palazzo del Seggio, the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and Piazza Sant’Oronzo with the Castle of Charles V, an imposing structure built to defend the city. On the coast lies Otranto, whose historic center features the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and the Cathedral of the Annunciation, with its floor covered in mosaics dating back to the early 12th century. The journey continues to Santa Cesarea Terme, where its numerous historic villas and prestigious homes serve as a reminder that the town was once a seaside resort for the ancient nobility and bourgeoisie of Lecce. Nearby, there are several natural caves, including the Zinzulusa Cave, which is particularly fascinating for its limestone formations of stalactites and stalagmites; its underground chambers can be visited via direct access from the sea. Once in Santa Maria di Leuca, you can admire the spectacle of the two seas (the Adriatic and the Ionian) meeting; in fact, this is the southernmost point of the Puglia region. On the Ionian coast, be sure to visit the city of Gallipoli with its Angevin Castle, which protects the harbor—in fact, the city is almost completely surrounded by the sea. One final feature of this province is the presence, along the coast, of numerous coastal watchtowers dating back several centuries, which formed a veritable network for surveillance and communication in the event of enemy attacks.