Religious site
Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce
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The Basilica of Santa Croce is one of the most iconic landmarks in Lecce, celebrated for its exuberant Baroque facade. Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, the church features a richly decorated exterior with a profusion of sculpted figures, animals, and floral motifs, all carved from the local soft limestone. The rose window and the central balcony are particularly striking. Inside, the church is equally impressive, with a single nave flanked by chapels adorned with altarpieces and stuccoes. The wooden ceiling and the high altar add to the sense of grandeur. Visiting Santa Croce offers a deep dive into the artistic and religious fervor of the Counter-Reformation period, and the adjacent convent now houses a museum of art and history.
Don't miss
- Ornate Baroque facade with intricate carvings of animals and saints
- Central rose window with delicate tracery
- Wooden coffered ceiling in the nave
- Altarpieces in the side chapels, including works by local artists
- Adjacent museum housed in the former convent
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce
You can visit Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce on your own. A guide is worth it for the history and detail that is easy to walk past, and a tour can combine it with nearby sights.
Cheapest way inLecce Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide by a Local4.3★ · 71 travelers3-4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$7 per personSee dates →
Best full dayTour to 4 Towns of Salento: Otranto, Leuca, Gallipoli, Galatina4.9★ · 429 travelers~8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$156 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleFull Day coast to coast, Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto, Gallipoli5★ · 21 travelers7-8 hoursFree cancellationFrom$180 per personSee dates →Getting there
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