Lecce

As I mentioned in the previous post, our school has organized day trips every Saturday and Sunday while we're here. Being so close to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, almost all of the trips are to nearby beaches or sea-towns. This weekend, there was an organized trip to Otranto and Porto Selvaggio, both of which are only a 30-45 bus ride away. During the next two months, we are scheduled to visit Otranto two more times, so Frankie and I decided to stay in Lecce on Saturday and take advantage of the saldi (sales). Twice a year, all throughout Italy, there are sales at most clothing and shoe stores, and the second saldi period started Saturday. It was heaven for Frankie, but still not my cup of tea. So, I walked around with camera in hand, and captured a lot of the "must-see" sights in Lecce (at least all the ones that appear on most of the postcards).

I walk this street almost every day, on my way in centro (downtown). It's right behind Porto Napoli, one of the main entrances into the city center, and there are numerous shops and ristoranti along the way.



These door knockers caught my attention while walking to the Duomo (cathedral).





Piazza Duomo is the main square wherein lies, you guessed it, the duomo, and there are always weddings or funerals taking place. Luckily, on this day, there was a wedding.





All of the architecture in Lecce is constructed out of the local Pieta Leccese, a stone for which Lecce is renowned. During the first four weeks of my trip here, I'm taking a scalpellino (stone carving) course, and all of the stone is the pieta leccese. More on that subject at a later date.

This is Piazza Sant. Oranzo, and standing atop the 30 foot obelisk is none other than Mr. Oranzo himself.



There is a Roman Ampitheater in Sant. Oranzo that is amazingly well preserved. It's juxtaposed with a street full of shops, cafes, and tobacchi (corner stores) on one side, and the other, a McDonalds (ghasp!) and the main bank in Lecce. Luckily, there's only one fast food restaurant in Lecce, but man do the Italians love it (despite the average 7 Euro value meals).





The name of this last chiesa (church) is escaping me at the moment, but I'll definitely do some more research. At night, it's one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Lecce, because of the intricate Baroque facade made out of the Leccese stone.



And to honour my word in the last post, here is a little gem I found while perusing a touristy-type shop in front of the Coloseum.



You can read more about the Priest Calendar here, at Shelley's Rome blog.

In the coming days: a tour of the Baroque architecture of Lecce; our day trip to the beautiful coast of Porto Selvaggio, and some reviews of the best gelaterie (gelato shops) in Lecce.

Alla prossima.