Basilica di San Giovanni Battista al Rosario (Church of St. John Battista of Rosario), Lecce
Church of Saint John Battista of Rosario (Basilica of San Giovanni Battista al Rosario) is located in the historic center of Lecce. It has been serving as the parish headquarters since 1914 and was built by the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo between 1691 and 1728 for the Dominicans. Situated on Giuseppe Libertini Street, close to Rudiae Gate (Porta Rudiae), the basilica replaced a previous structure from 1388 when the Dominican fathers first arrived in Lecce.
The construction of the new building began in 1691 under the supervision of the seventy-year-old Giuseppe Zimbalo, who also contributed to its financing. After Zimbalo's death in 1710, other artists, including Giulio Cesare Penna the Younger and Leonardo Protopapa, completed the construction by 1728.
The basilica's fa莽ade is elaborate and divided into two levels. The lower level features two large fluted columns framing a grand entrance. Above the entrance, the Dominican symbol and the San Domenico di Guzman statue can be seen. Adjacent to the entrance are niches containing stone statues of Saint John the Baptist and Blessed Francis of the Order of Preachers.
Internally, the basilica takes the shape of a Greek cross, with a spacious octagonal chamber covered by wooden trusses. Along the internal perimeter are twelve small chapels with intricate Baroque altars, arranged within the vaulted chapels of the octagonal cross.
The construction of the new building began in 1691 under the supervision of the seventy-year-old Giuseppe Zimbalo, who also contributed to its financing. After Zimbalo's death in 1710, other artists, including Giulio Cesare Penna the Younger and Leonardo Protopapa, completed the construction by 1728.
The basilica's fa莽ade is elaborate and divided into two levels. The lower level features two large fluted columns framing a grand entrance. Above the entrance, the Dominican symbol and the San Domenico di Guzman statue can be seen. Adjacent to the entrance are niches containing stone statues of Saint John the Baptist and Blessed Francis of the Order of Preachers.
Internally, the basilica takes the shape of a Greek cross, with a spacious octagonal chamber covered by wooden trusses. Along the internal perimeter are twelve small chapels with intricate Baroque altars, arranged within the vaulted chapels of the octagonal cross.
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Basilica di San Giovanni Battista al Rosario (Church of St. John Battista of Rosario) on Map
Sight Name: Basilica di San Giovanni Battista al Rosario (Church of St. John Battista of Rosario)
Sight Location: Lecce, Italy (See walking tours in Lecce)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lecce, Italy (See walking tours in Lecce)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lecce, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Lecce
Creating your own self-guided walk in Lecce is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lecce's Baroque Churches Walking Tour
Often defined as the 鈥淐apital of Baroque鈥� 鈥� an artistic trend born in Italy in the 17th century, the town of Lecce has this signature style present in most of the buildings throughout its historic center. Characterized by elaborate facades and the extensive use of local stone known as "pietra leccese", Lecce's Baroque architecture reached its pinnacle in the form of churches,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Lecce Introduction Walking Tour
The beginning of Lecce is a legend. According to the story, a town existed close to the location of today's Lecce, dating from the Trojan Wars. The town was taken by Romans in the 3rd century BC. They called it "Lupiae." The Roman Emperor Hadrian didn't like the location, so he moved it 2 miles to the northeast. Lecce had a theatre and an amphitheater which can be partially... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles