I personally beloved spending a number of days in Lecce, and I think it makes a superb base for a wider exploration of the Salento region. It actually helps that Lecce will get you a lot more worth for cash than most locations in Italy. In the 1980s, Matera began growing its tourism, and many of the sassi have been was luxurious motels. Today Matera is a serious hotspot in southern Italy, and is important to Puglia itineraries, despite technically not being a half of Puglia. If you’d rather not drive, hand over the reins to this Ostuni, Alberobello, and Polignano a Mare full-day tour.

One of an important historical figures of Lecce is none apart from Charles V, who inherited Naples and Sicily from his grandfather Fernando de Aragón in 1516 (lucky guy). Porta Rudiae appeared in course of the traditional destroyed metropolis of Rudiae and was rebuilt in 1703 to incorporate busts of Lecce’s founders and patron Saint Orontius, the first bishop of Lecce. The seminary has a stunning cloister to enjoy some recent air, a cute chapel devoted to Saint Gregory (San Gregorio), plus a library (Innocence Library). The Piazza del Duomo is accessed from a small passageway off of Via G. Libertini (Lecce’s main street). Lecce has an immense prehistoric past that’s considerably hard to fathom – especially if, like me, you’re from the United States. Just don museodeibambini on it to be seashore weather, except you need to join in with that one old dude in a speedo who jumps in the water one year a 12 months (there’s one in every town).

Similarly, the Centro Commerciale Cavallino in Castromediano offers a family-friendly buying experience with a wide range of shops, as properly as locations to loosen up and revel in a meal together. These indoor malls provide a perfect alternative for a break from sightseeing, allowing children to let off some steam whereas parents can browse or unwind. Inside the Palazzo del Seminario, you’ll discover the Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra. Lecce’s Museum of Sacred Art is stuffed to the brim with spiritual statues, work, relics of papier-mâché, and ancient artifacts. Although you can walk around the historic heart your self, a guided tour ensures you’ll soak up all the historic significance of this fascinating metropolis. Matera is pretty far, so it’s solely worth visiting as a day journey if you’re staying a while in Lecce.

Museums In Lecce Map

Housed contained in the Charles V Castle (which we go to next), the Museo della Cartapesta, or Paper Mache Museum, celebrates the historic connection between the unique art form and Lecce. In the 18th century, most of the paper mache masters referred to as Lecce house and took on students to show the required skills. Inside the castle, you’ll explore dungeons, patrol hallways, higher noble quarters, and the Papier Mâché Museum with fascinating (somewhat creepy looking) spiritual paper mâché relics.

Lecce Museums: 6 Must-see Museums In Lecce, Italy

So, if you’re on the lookout for methods to escape the weather or simply need a break from the solar, here’s a information to the best family-friendly indoor activities Lecce has to supply. Casa Museo Spada presents a glimpse into the opulent way of life of Lecce’s aristocratic families by way of its impressive assortment of art, furniture, and decorative objects. Housed in a superbly preserved historic residence, the museum showcases intricate stucco work, ornate furnishings, and period-specific decor that reflect the class and sophistication of previous eras. Visitors can explore exhibits that highlight the cultural and creative heritage of Lecce, providing insights into the intersection of art, historical past, and architecture. It is a perfect vacation spot for those interested in exploring the blend of art, historical past, and architectural magnificence in a captivating and intimate setting.

The Museo Faggiano is located inconspicuously on a quiet avenue close to the Roman Theater. Glass plates and grates enable views into cellars, tombs, deep wells, secret hiding areas and slim underground passageways. Discovered and excavated in the Thirties, the Lecce Roman Theater is among the prime issues to see within the city. The ancient theater is purpose sufficient to go to, however the small and informational on-site museum offers insight into the historical past of each Lecce and Roman theater productions. Our record of museums in Lecce, Italy are ranked so as – with the final one on the listing being our absolute favourite. For every museum, we embody a hyperlink to fellow vacationers critiques and pertinent information for visiting these Lecce museums.

This interactive museum is designed to stimulate creativity and curiosity in younger minds, making it a perfect destination for households. Children can explore reveals targeted on science, art, and culture by way of hands-on activities that include crafting, building, and scientific experiments. The museum encourages kids to study by way of play, making it both an academic and entertaining expertise. It’s a perfect spot for a wet day or a break from sightseeing, offering an area the place children may be both active and engaged while studying in regards to the world around them. The Museo del Teatro Romano offers an in-depth look into the ancient Roman theatrical traditions that once thrived in Lecce.

This and Porta Napoli are essentially the most spectacular although the oft-overlooked Porta San Biagio has the advantage of being quieter. Aside from all the distinctive things to do in Lecce, this metropolis is considerably extra affordable than classic Italian hotspots like Rome or the Amalfi Coast. I additionally found Lecce to be cheaper than popular close by towns like Monopoli and Matera. My favourite thing to do in Lecce was simply to absorb the atmosphere, strolling the passeggiata as the sun went down, poking my head into fascinating outlets and trying lots of different wines and meals.

Admission comes with a information which is useful as there’s plenty of history to chew by way of. If you’re touring as a pair or group, book this private tour of the Jewish Museum Lecce. Over 2,500 years of history lay within the cellar of this historic constructing, including a tomb from the days of the Messapian tribe and etchings from the Knights Templar. The museum is totally family-run and tremendous participating as it has such a mixture of relics.