Palazzo dei Celestini (Palace of the Celestines), Lecce
The Palace of the Celestines (Palazzo dei Celestini) was a convent of the Celestine fathers. In 1807, during the Napoleonic occupation of Lecce, the fathers were evicted and suppressed, and the convent was put to other uses. It is now known as the Government Palace (Palazzo del Governo). The Fathers had occupied the palace for three centuries.
Gualtieri VI of Brienne, Count of Lecce, and Duke of Athens established the monastery in 1352. In 1549, as Charles V was expanding the walls and building new fortresses, the original convent was demolished and the Celestines were moved to the current palace. Architect Gabriele Riccardi started the project.
It was finished a century later by architect Giuseppe Zimbalo. Zimbalo wanted the convent to blend with the facade of the Basilica of the Holy Cross, which he had just finished. The convent has a Baroque ashlar facade. There are lanceolate points in the window pediments and cornice friezes. Work began in 1659 and ended in 1695.
The luxurious Palace of the Celestines and a favorite Angevin Castle are now the home of the Prefecture of the Province of Lecce.
Gualtieri VI of Brienne, Count of Lecce, and Duke of Athens established the monastery in 1352. In 1549, as Charles V was expanding the walls and building new fortresses, the original convent was demolished and the Celestines were moved to the current palace. Architect Gabriele Riccardi started the project.
It was finished a century later by architect Giuseppe Zimbalo. Zimbalo wanted the convent to blend with the facade of the Basilica of the Holy Cross, which he had just finished. The convent has a Baroque ashlar facade. There are lanceolate points in the window pediments and cornice friezes. Work began in 1659 and ended in 1695.
The luxurious Palace of the Celestines and a favorite Angevin Castle are now the home of the Prefecture of the Province of Lecce.
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Palazzo dei Celestini (Palace of the Celestines) on Map
Sight Name: Palazzo dei Celestini (Palace of the Celestines)
Sight Location: Lecce, Italy (See walking tours in Lecce)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lecce, Italy (See walking tours in Lecce)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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