Because of the rich Baroque architecture of the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". Most of the significant buildings to be seen today were built in the mid 1500s. The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture and is believed have been founded by people from Crete.
The Lecce stone is a particular kind of golden limestone and is soft and workable but erodes easily.
We spent four enjoyable days just wandering around all of the streets and lanes and alleys of the old centre.
Lecce is flat. All of Puglia is flat. That makes for wider streets, easy walking and much easier parking than in the narrow, winding and hilly streets of the medieval villages.
Lecce is a city of courtyards and we were fortunate enough to arrive on the very Sunday they held a major Arts event that saw many of the courtyards open and hosting various cultural activities. This one was musical.
This one was green. One side ....
... and the other side.
And here is the front gate to our apartment.
.... and another equally nice service courtyard at the rear. On the higher level was the owners garden with a massive bougainvillea that dropped flowers on our washing. Paul diligently kept sweeping them up and by the time we left, there was a significant pile of blossoms in that corner.
It was a great apartment, very large. The only drawback was a lack of sun.
Lecce has a Roman amphitheatre in its main square.
And lots of interesting balconies ....
.... and pretty shops.
Appropriately, the ballet shop was named "Degas."
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