The legend has it that Messapian city Sybar existed even before the Trojan war. This city, after the advent of the Iapyges and the conquest by the Romans in the 3^rd century B.C., “Latinised” its name and changed it into Lupiae, and changed status too, passing from statio militum (military post) to municipium (Roman municipality).

The city of Lecce is famous for the monuments that embellish it, many of which are in Lecce’s typical baroque style. Many remarkable friezes, capitals, pinnacles and rose windows decorate many buildings and churches of the city (more than 40).

The city centre is enclosed in city walls dating back to the 16^th century, although most of these walls have been destroyed.

The city originally had four access gates: Arco di Trionfo (Porta Napoli), Porta Rudiae, Porta San Biagio and Porta San Martino. The latter is no longer visible, for it collapsed in the 19^th century.

Places of interest

♦  Roman amphitheatre

It was built during Augustus’ rule and measured roughly 102 metres by 83 metres, holding up to 25,000 people.

In the subsequent eras it was buried and new buildings were built over it. The monument was discovered during the construction works for the Bank of Italy building, in the early 20^th century.

♦  Piazza Sant’ Oronzo

Lecce’s elegant city centre is Piazza Sant'Oronzo, partially occupied by the Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1^st-2^nd century A.D, discovered in the early 20^th century. There is also a column, donated by the city of Brindisi to adorn the plain square, with a statue of St Oronzo – the city’s patron saint – on top.

♦  Piazza Duomo

Baroque architecture dominates the central square of Piazza Duomo.

It can be reached through the propylaeums, built in the late 18^th century by Emanuele Manieri, since the original entrance gate had been knocked down.

Piazza Duomo is a rare example of “closed piazza”. In the ancient times, the gates – whose massive hubs can still be seen today – were closed in the evening.

The fact that it is an evident example of baroque architecture also stands out because of the “theatrical” false façade solution. The visitor who reaches Piazza Duomo finds him/herself facing a church façade, which turns out to be false. It is sufficient to walk through the portal to reach the church aisle. Therefore, you don’t walk into the cathedral from the front, because it is parallel to the square. This spectacular solution was adopted to prevent visitors from finding themselves facing an empty wall.