Normans, Angevins, Aragoneses and then the Hapsburg Empire, what kind of domination and influence did they have in the urban life of Lecce and its surroundings?
Here it is the front of the majestic Baroque styled Basilica di Santa Croce and Palazzo dei Celestini.
On the one hand, the Basilica was built starting from 1549 and the decorative framework on the front might be for remembering and celebrating a remarkable page of history that is the Lepanto battle (1571), where it was reported the victory of the Holy League over the Ottoman forces.
On the other hand, next to Basilica di Santa Croce, it is Palazzo dei Celestini, which was an ancient convent belonging to the Congregatio Coelestinorum at first. It was demolished and then rebuilt on the project of Riccardi by the will of Charles V. The main works on the front (between 1659-1695) were carried out under the guidance of architects Cino and Zimbalo.
Nowadays, Palazzo dei Celestini is the representative palace of government for the province of Lecce.
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