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Basilica di Santa Croce

Churches & cathedrals ·Lecce ·Closed
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#1Churches & cathedrals in LecceMost reviewed in LecceTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Basilica di Santa Croce is a minor basilica on Via Umberto I in Lecce’s historic centre, a leading example of Lecce Baroque.

More photos 11

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Basilica di Santa Croce — The full baroque facade seen from the side of the square

Basilica di Santa Croce — The full baroque facade seen from the side of the squareBasilica di Santa Croce — The carved facade illuminated at nightBasilica di Santa Croce — Santa Croce's facade framed against a deep blue skyBasilica di Santa Croce — The church facade at dusk from a low angleBasilica di Santa Croce — The richly decorated nave with pews and vaulted ceilingBasilica di Santa Croce — A long view down the ornate nave toward the altarBasilica di Santa Croce — The church interior with arches, stained glass, and visitorsBasilica di Santa Croce — Side chapels and marble columns inside the basilicaBasilica di Santa Croce — The side aisle with pews and illuminated altarsBasilica di Santa Croce — The church facade viewed from a narrow adjoining streetBasilica di Santa Croce — Close view of the carved rose window and stone ornament

Why go

  • The Romanesque-inspired rose window framed by Baroque carving.
  • Francesco Antonio Zimbalo’s Saint Francis of Paola altar, made in 1614–1615.

Opening hours

Today09:00 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30Show all
Monday09:00 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30
Tuesday09:00 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30
Wednesday09:00 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30
Thursday09:00 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30
Friday09:00 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30
Saturday09:30 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30
Sunday09:30 – 13:00, 16:30 – 20:30

Don't miss

  • Antonio Zimbalo’s self-portraitFind it beside the rose window at its nine o’clock position.Upper façade
  • Putti with emblemsThe putti carry emblems of temporal and spiritual power.Above the façade balustrade
  • Crossing dome decorationLook for acanthus garlands, cherubs and floral motifs.Dome at the crossing
  • Madonna di Costantinopoli frescoA 16th-century fresco.Chapel of Sant’Antonio da Padova
  • Santa Croce altarCesare Penna made this altar in 1637.Right transept1637

Know before you go

  • Monday to Friday: 09:00–13:00 and 16:30–20:30.

Interesting facts4

1/4
  1. 1646

    Two lions beside the rose window hold a scroll dated 1646.

    Storia della Basilica – Basilica di Santa Croce
  2. 45 degrees

    The main portal has paired columns on a base turned 45 degrees.

    Storia della Basilica – Basilica di Santa Croce

  3. Paintings by Lecce-school artists, including Oronzo Tiso, decorate the chapel altars.

    Basilique Sainte-Croix de Lecce - Wikipedia

  4. The basilica contains tombs of the Adorni family.

    Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

The building campaign used houses belonging to Jews expelled from Lecce in 1510. During the suppression, the church’s main altar was moved to the cathedral and many liturgical furnishings were lost. The confraternity later restored and rearranged some altars.

  1. 14th c.Walter VI, Count of Brienne, founded a monastery on the site.
  2. 1549Work began on the present church. Gabriele Riccardi designed its first phase.
  3. 1582Riccardi’s lower façade was completed.
  4. 1590The dome was completed.
  5. 1606Francesco Antonio Zimbalo began adding the portals.
Show all
  1. 1646Cesare Penna completed the upper façade and rose window; Giuseppe Zimbalo decorated the upper façade.
  2. 1695The church was completed.
  3. 1807The Celestine order was suppressed, ending its administration of the church.
  4. 1833The Confraternity of the Holy Trinity of Pilgrims took charge of the church.
  5. 1906The church was declared a national monument.
  6. 1918Bishop Gennaro Trama established a parish dedicated to the Holy Trinity at the basilica.
  7. 1956A new main altar was installed, transferred from the church of Santi Niccolò e Cataldo.

Sources: Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce - Wikipedia · Lecce - Wikivoyage (see) · Basilica di Santa Croce – Il tempio del Barocco… · Storia della Basilica – Basilica di Santa Croce · Storia ed attività – Basilica di Santa Croce · Santa Croce (Lecce) - Wikipedia · Basilique Sainte-Croix de Lecce - Wikipedia · Basilica di Santa Croce (Lecce) - Wikipedia · Basilica di Santa Croce: menu (its own site) · checked 6 Oct 2026

Where
Piazza Duomo, 5, Lecce Province of Lecce Puglia

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What stands beside Basilica di Santa Croce?

The former Celestine palace, now housing the Prefecture and provincial government.

Who built the organ at Basilica di Santa Croce?

Fratelli Ruffatti built it in 1961.

Whose arms appear on Basilica di Santa Croce’s main portal?

Those of Philip III of Spain, Mary of Enghien and Walter VI of Brienne.

What do the side portals of Basilica di Santa Croce display?

The coats of arms of the Celestines.

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