Lecce
Lecce
| |
|---|---|
| Comune di Lecce | |
Clockwise from top: Church of Santa Croce; Roman Amphitheatre; Lecce Cathedral ("Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta"); the cathedral's bell tower; and Porta Rudiae | |
Location of Lecce | |
| Coordinates: 40°21′N 18°10′E / 40.350°N 18.167°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Apulia |
| Province | Lecce (LE) |
| Founded | 200s BC |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Adriana Poli Bortone |
| Area | |
• Total | 238 km2 (92 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 49 m (161 ft) |
| Population (01-1-2023) | |
• Total | 94,783 |
| • Density | 400/km2 (1,000/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Leccese |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 73100 |
| Dialing code | 0832 |
| Patron saint | Orontius |
| Website | www |
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Lecce (/ˈlɛtʃeɪ/; Italian: [ˈlettʃe] ⓘ) is a city in southern Italy and capital of the province of Lecce. It is on the Salentine Peninsula, at the heel of the Italian Peninsula, and is over two thousand years old.
Because of its rich Baroque architecture, Lecce is nicknamed "The Florence of the South". "Lecce stone"—a particular kind of limestone—is one of the city's main exports, because it is very soft and workable, and thus suitable for sculptures. Lecce is also an important agricultural centre, chiefly for its olive oil and wine production, as well as an industrial centre specializing in ceramics.
Lecce is home to the University of Salento.