The Duomo di Lecce, also known as the Cathedral of Lecce or the Cattedrale dell'Assunta, stands on Piazza del Duomo in the historic centre of Lecce, in the region of Apulia in southern Italy. It is the city's principal church and one of its most recognisable landmarks.
The building
The cathedral was built in Norman times and later rebuilt in the Baroque style by Giuseppe Zimbalo. Its facade is the work that most visitors come to see: richly carved and ornate, and typical of the golden local limestone that gives Lecce its nickname as the "Florence of the South." The distinctive bell tower stands beside the church and is part of the same carefully composed square.
What a visit offers
- The facade: take time to look closely at the decorative detail, which rewards a slow look.
- The bell tower: a defining feature of the square, best appreciated as part of the whole ensemble.
- The square itself: a good place to sit and watch the life of the old town around it.
Because the cathedral sits in the centre of Lecce, it is easy to combine with a wider walk through the old town, whose streets are full of other baroque churches, palaces and cafés built in the same warm stone.
To check visiting arrangements before you go, you can call the cathedral on +39 0832 308557. The address is Piazza del Duomo, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy.
