Editing Lecce (section)

=== Churches and religious buildings ===
* [[Basilica di Santa Croce (Lecce)|Church of the Holy Cross]]: construction of the ''Chiesa di Santa Croce'') was begun in 1353, but work halted until 1549, and it was completed only by 1695. The church has a richly decorated façade with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables, and a large rose window. Next to the church is the Government Palace, a former convent.
* [[Lecce Cathedral]]: the church was originally built in 1144, rebuilt in 1230, then totally restored in the 1659–70 by [[Giuseppe Zimbalo]], who also built the five storey {{convert|70|m|ft|adj=on}} high bell tower, with an octagonal [[loggia]].
* San Niccolò and Cataldo: the church is an example of Italo-Norman architecture. It was founded by [[Tancred of Sicily]] in 1180. In 1716 the façade was rebuilt, with the addition of numerous statues, but maintaining the original [[Romanesque architecture|Romanesque]] portal. The walls were frescoed during the 15th-17th centuries.
* Celestine Convent: built (1549–1695) in [[Baroque architecture|Baroque]]-style by [[Giuseppe Zimbalo]]. The courtyard was designed by Gabriele Riccardi.
* Santa Irene: this church was commissioned in 1591 by the [[Theatines]] and dedicated to [[Irene of Thessalonica|Saint Irene]]. The architect was [[Francesco Grimaldi (architect)|Francesco Grimaldi]]). It has a large façade showing different styles in the upper and lower parts. Above the portal stands a statue of ''Ste Irene'' (1717) by Mauro Manieri. The interior is on the Latin cross plan and is rather sober. The main altarpiece is a copy of the ''St [[Michael the Archangel]]'' by [[Guido Reni]]. The high altar has a ''Transport of the Holy Ark'' by Oronzo Tiso. In the right transept is one of the largest altars in Lecce, dedicated to [[Saint Cajetan]] (1651). Nearby is the [[Rococo]] altar of Saint [[Andrew Avellino]]. Also from the mid-17th century is the ''Altar of St Orontius'' by [[Francesco Antonio Zimbalo]], followed by the altar of Saint Irene with a canvas by Giuseppe Verrio (1639), nine busts of saints housing relics and a large statue of the saint. The altar of [[Saint Stephen]] has the ''Stoning of St. Stephen'' by Verrio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lecce.italiani.it/la-chiesa-di-santirene-dei-teatini-a-lecce/|title=La chiesa di Sant’Irene dei Teatini a Lecce|author=Luigi Bove|date=15 February 2019|language=IT}}</ref>
* San Matteo: this church was built in 1667. It has a typical central Italy Baroque style. It has two columns on the façade, only one of which is decorated, though only partially. According to a local legend, the jealous devil killed the sculptor before he could finish the work.
* Santa Maria degli Angeli
* Santa Chiara: this church was built in 1429–1438, rebuilt in 1687.
* San Francesco della Scarpa: known as the "church without façade" as the latter has been demolished in the 19th century restorations. The most ancient section dates likely to the 13th-14th centuries; the interior is on the Greek Cross plan. Notable are several Baroque altars and a large statue of [[Saint Joseph]].