A sculpted facade like stone lace
Facing the basilica, your gaze is immediately drawn upward to the large central rosone before getting lost in a facade entirely covered in carvings. Animals, figures, and plant motifs crowd the pale stone.
The entire structure is carved from Lecce stone, that soft and luminous limestone that takes the chisel so well.
Why visit the Basilique de la Sainte-Croix
It ranks among the finest examples of the baroque style in Lecce, and many consider it one of its most iconic landmarks. Its construction spanned the 16th and 17th centuries for the order of the Celestines.
We would place it at the very top of any walking tour through the historic center. Lecce stone, so easy to carve, reaches its full expression here, and the facade alone makes the unique nature of the local baroque instantly clear.
The facade and the three-aisled interior
The first pleasure starts right from the street, taking the time to trace the details of the rosone and the ornaments surrounding it. The facade reads slowly, fragment by fragment.
Inside, the Latin cross floor plan is organized into three aisles. You will discover the altars that line the church.
Palazzo dei Celestini, an equally ornate neighbor
The basilica is right next to the Palazzo dei Celestini, the former Celestine monastery. Today it houses administrative offices, but its facade is heavily ornamented and well worth a slow stroll along its length.
The complex is located on Via Umberto I, right in the historic center, and is best explored on foot.
How long for this activity
Plan for 30 to 45 minutes to take in the facade and explore the interior.