Lecce

Lecce is situated in the Salento peninsula and is the capital of Apulia region, with approximately 91,000 inhabitants. Capital city of the Salento peninsula, Lecce is the spiritual, cultural and economic centre of the region and it is made up of various municipalities directly linked to the city, while others are of a secondary importance. Lecce is a town with an important historical past and traditions which were deeply influenced by the Aragonese monarchy. When it was annexed to the Reign of Naples, Lecce became one of the most prosperous towns in the Mediterranean. From an architectural point of view, Lecce is the expression of the baroque identity and for this reason it is called the Florence of Apulia. A baroque symbol is the Church of Santa Croce, which best represents this style. Other typical monuments in Lecce are: the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, restored in the 17th century, by Gustavo Zimbalo who also designed the near bell tower. In the past, the grand Roman amphitheatre could contain up to 25,000 people. The Church of Ss. Nicolò and Cataldo, built during the Norman Age, was decorated and embellished during the centuries.