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Lecce, Italy
Lecce is a revelation — a city of extraordinary Baroque architecture carved from the local golden-pink pietra leccese limestone, which is soft enough to sculpt like wood. The Basilica di Santa Croce, with its fantastically ornate facade of cherubs, animals, and flowers, is the masterpiece, and the Piazza del Duomo is one of Italy's most dramatic enclosed squares. Roman Lecce is visible too — a 1st-century amphitheater sits in the middle of Piazza Sant'Oronzo, partially excavated and surrounded by cafes. The city is walkable and compact, with the old town's grid layout making navigation easy. Lecce's food culture is deeply Pugliese — rustico (a savory pastry), pasticciotto (custard-filled pastry), and orecchiette pasta are everywhere. The craft of papier-mache, a Leccese specialty since the 17th century, fills artisan workshops. And unlike Florence, Lecce has few crowds and very reasonable prices.
explore by interest
The golden limestone glows most beautifully in the late afternoon sun — plan your walk past the major churches for the hour before sunset.
April through June and September through October offer warm weather without the intense Pugliese summer heat of July and August.