LECCE
Lecce was one of my favorite stops on this trip. It is close
to so many beautiful beaches, the city is beautiful, and the food was
delicious. We spent 2 nights in the city of Lecce and had time to explore the
city as well as enjoy a beautiful beach day.
Lecce is all about the Baroque architecture, and its Baroque
Leccese is incredibly impressive. A rag homogeneous and warm colored limestone
[Lecce stone] that can be cut with a knife was used to create the beautiful buildings
and architectural decorations on the facades. Lecce is known as the “Florence
of the South” and is a vibrant city full of local college students, tourists,
and businesses.
The exact history is unknown, but it is estimated that the
first settlements were around the Messapica era. Monuments throughout the city
date back to the Roman period, and one can find many other monuments and
buildings from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque time periods.
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| Porta San Biagio |
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| Church of San Matteo |
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| Anfiteatro Romano |
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| Teatro Romano |
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| Chiesa di Sant' Irene |
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| Chiesa di Sant' Irene |
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| Campanile |
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| Cattedrale |
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| Episcopio |
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| Campanile |
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| Chiesa di Sant' Anna |
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| Chiesa del Rosario |
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| Chiesa del Rosario |
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| Chiesa del Rosario |
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| Fontana dell' Armonia |
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| Castello di Carlo V |
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| Villa Comunale |
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| Chiesa di Santa Croce |
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| Palazzo dei Celestini |
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| Arco di Trionfo |
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| Arco di Trionfo |
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| Chiesa di Santa Chiara |
GALLIPOLI
Gallipoli is found on the Salento Peninsula and is home to
some of the best beaches in Puglia, at least from what I read. We did not
explore the town, although it looks like a nice destination if someone is
traveling to the area. Instead, we found ourselves a beautiful little beach
spot called Punta della Suina. It just happened to be the first place we saw a
parking area and decided to take a look, and we were lucky we did. The sand was
perfectly clean and soft. The water was crystal clear with beautiful shades of
blue, and we could see clear across to the city of Gallipoli in the distance.
The beach is hidden from the road by a forest area but once you come across the
Ionian Sea you are welcomed by a restaurant | bar, umbrellas, lounge chairs and
relaxing music. By far the best beach I have ever been to!
BARI
PJ and I finished out our trip in Bari, which is where we
flew in and out of. It is a port city and many cruses leave from the area. The
historical downtown is primarily residential with a few restaurants mixed in,
but mainly friendly neighbors and family meals. The newer area of the city is
more tourism geared, with streets of shopping and hotels. From what I have
read, most people go to Bari for only a night, as they leave for the Greek
Islands from the port the next day. The architecture tends to be in the
Romanesque style and there are several buildings worth finding during ones
stay.
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| Castello Svevo |
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| Castello Svevo |
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| Cattedrale |
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| Basilica di San Nicola |
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| Teatro Margherita |
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| Teatro Petruzelli |
Seeing as it was our last night I had booked dinner at a restaurant that I had stumbled upon on an architecture web site. The restaurant is part of Hotel
Grotta Palazzese in Polignano a Mareand is carved out of the limestone rocks overlooking the
Adriatic Sea. The carving out of the cave has created a grotta on the interior
of the restaurant assuring visitors a great view from any seat. The food was
delicious but what you are really paying for is the stunning location!
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