The Basilica of the Holy Cross, called Basilica di Santa Croce in Italian, stands on Via Umberto I in Lecce and is the city's best-known example of Lecce Baroque. Its pale limestone facade is covered in saints, biblical scenes, mythical beasts and animals, with a large rose window at the centre. Local architects and stonemasons built it over several decades, and it mixes Renaissance and Baroque forms. Inside, side chapels hold Baroque altars and frescoes. Give the facade time first, then step inside to see the altars.
From monastery to basilica
The site was once home to an older temple and monastery, founded in the second half of the 1300s near what is now the Castle of Charles V. Work on the present church began in 1549, at the request of the Celestine fathers. Several architects from Lecce worked on it over the following decades, among them Gabriele Riccardi, Francesco Antonio Zimbalo and Cesare Penna, together with local master stonemasons and carvers.
Next to the church stands the former Celestine convent, now the Palazzo dei Celestini, which houses the Province and the Prefecture of Lecce. Parts of the convent can be toured. One account adds that the land under the basilica once belonged to Jewish families who had been forced out of the city.
The facade
The facade is the main reason most visitors come. Its carvings include saints, biblical scenes, mythical creatures, sheep, dodos and cherubs, spread densely across the stone. A team led by Giuseppe Zimbalo worked the surface through the 16th and 17th centuries.
The rose window draws on Romanesque style, which is one reason the building mixes several styles. The stone is the local Lecce limestone, which gives the church its pale, creamy colour.
Inside the basilica
The interior is more conventional in plan than the front, but it is still rich. The church has a Latin cross layout with three aisles. Seven deep chapels open on each side of the nave, and sixteen Baroque altars stand in total. Frescoes and a majestic altar stand out.
Look at each altar slowly, since the carvings and paintings reward close attention. The basilica is now entrusted to the Arciconfraternita della Santissima Trinità.
Planning the visit
The carvings carry symbols and historical meaning that a guide can explain. You can enjoy the building without one, but a tour adds depth to the visit. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and the church is open every day of the week.
Perguntas frequentes
Is the basilica wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the entrance is wheelchair accessible.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. Combined tickets also cover access to several churches in Lecce.
Is the basilica open every day?
Yes, it is open every day of the week.
What is a good time to visit?
Around 4:30 pm is a suggested time, when you may see a wedding ceremony at the church near the square.
