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Centro Storico, Lecce

Landmarks ·Lecce
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About

Lecce’s historic centre in Puglia lies within medieval gates and surviving western city walls.

More photos 7

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Centro Storico, Lecce — Piazza Sant’Oronzo and its column framed by Lecce’s baroque buildings Patrick Nouhailler's… · CC BY-SA 3.0 · edited
Centro Storico, Lecce — Piazza Sant’Oronzo and its column framed by Lecce’s baroque buildingsCentro Storico, Lecce — Historic square bordered by pale stone buildings and ground-floor arcadesCentro Storico, Lecce — Lecce’s historic square at night beneath illuminated festival decorationsCentro Storico, Lecce — View through a stone arch across the square to historic façadesCentro Storico, Lecce — Narrow street between tall stone buildings in Lecce’s old townCentro Storico, Lecce — Carved stone balconies and ornate window surrounds on an old town façadeCentro Storico, Lecce — Small ornate chapel interior with an altar and religious painting

Why go

  • Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the centre’s main square, with its Roman amphitheatre and historic palaces.
  • Lecce Cathedral and its famous bell tower in Piazza Duomo.
  • The Giravolte quarter, churches and former convents along Via Libertini near Porta Rudiae.

Don't miss

  • Church of S. Chiara, second Roman theatre, MUST museum and Conservatorio di San SebastianoThese sites are south of Piazza Duomo.South of Piazza Duomo
  • ObeliscoThe Obelisco stands just outside the gate, beside an avenue leading to the monumental cemetery and the Church of Santi Niccolò e Cataldo.Beyond Porta Napoli
  • Marble busts of notable peopleThe gardens contain marble busts of notable people connected with Lecce.Villa Comunale, also called Giardini pubblici Giuseppe Garibaldi

Interesting facts2

1/2

  1. The city hall is inside Palazzo Carafa.

    Centro storico di Lecce - Wikipedia

  2. Tree-lined avenues follow the outline of the historic centre’s gates and walls and pass Villa Comunale.

    Centro storico di Lecce - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

Piazza Sant’Oronzo was formerly called Piazza dei Mercadanti.

  1. 1500Porta Napoli, also called Arco di Trionfo, was built at Carlo V’s request.
  2. 19th centuryPorta San Martino was destroyed. A marker near Villa Comunale marks its former position.

Tips for your visit

  • Three of the four former gates survive as entrances: Porta Napoli, Porta Rudiae and Porta San Biagio.
  • Torre del Parco stands a short distance outside Porta San Biagio.
  • Via Palmieri has churches and some of the centre’s main Baroque palaces.
  • Castello Carlo V stands in the eastern part of the historic centre.
  • The southern area includes Piazza Giosuè Carducci and Piazza Tancredi, with the Church of Carmine and Carmelite monastery.

Sources: Centro storico di Lecce - Wikipedia · checked 7 Oct 2026

Where
Corte dei Cicala, 19-35, Lecce

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What can I see south of Piazza Duomo in Lecce’s historic centre?

The Church of S. Chiara, a second Roman theatre, MUST museum and Conservatorio di San Sebastiano are south of the square.

Where are Lecce’s Baroque palaces in the historic centre?

Via Palmieri has churches and some of the centre’s main Baroque palaces.

Where is Castello Carlo V in Lecce’s historic centre?

It stands in the eastern part of the historic centre.

What is near Porta Napoli in Lecce?

The Obelisco is just outside Porta Napoli. An avenue from there leads to the monumental cemetery and the Church of Santi Niccolò e Cataldo.

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