Lecce is often nicknamed the Florence of the South owing to its large number of beautiful historical buildings and its location in the “Dog Leg” of Italy. This city is tucked away in the southernmost regions of Italy directly opposite Albania on the Adriatic Sea and has a current population of approximately 94,000.
Lecce has an extensive history and has been inhabited since the times of Emperor Hadrian and the Roman Empire. In subsequent history, the city was conquered by a myriad of empires, including the Saracens, Lombards, Slavs, and Ostrogoths.
Today, Lecce is a popular tourist destination and is seeing a surge in popularity as people recognize its fantastic potential. Lecce is renowned for its beautiful historical structures, such as the Basilica di Santa Croce, the Porta Napoli, and the Duomo.
Furthermore, Lecce has a favorable location and is within a stone’s throw of some charming and interesting coastal destinations such as Gallipoli. If you are looking for something different and wish to experience a less well-known part of Italy, the Lecce and Apulia regions are amazing places to visit.