From Brindisi to Lecce

Park your car here to explore Brindisi on foot.

The cathedral of Brindisi stands on a nice square, it dates back from the 12th century. Here you can also admire the "Porta dei Cavalieri Templari" a fanciful portico with arches that remains from a medieval Templar church.

Next to the cathedral, you will find the archeological museum. It is definitely worth a visit. Here you will find more than 3000 bronze sculptures, Roman statues, underwater archeological finds, terracotta figurines from the 7th century, exhibited on several floors.
Open hours Tuesday - Sunday 9:00 - 18:45 Closed on Mondays.

This roman column still standing marks the end of the Roman Via Appia in Brindisi. The column stands at the top of the historical town. You can take the stairs down leading to the pleasant waterfront promenade.

Have lunch at this wine bar on the promenade. They also serve good local food. And of course, you will get many wine options.
Open hours Thursday - Tuesday 10:30 - 15:30, 18:00 - 23:00. Closed on Wednesdays.

From the location of the restaurant, take the small boat that crosses the bay. The boats come and go every 15 or 20 minutes. The boat will drop you at the monument to the sailor of Italy. You can visit inside and go up to the top for beautiful views of the surroundings.

In this palace, you will find the tourist office, they can give you maps and more details about exploring the city, there is also a cafe and a bookshop and some temporary exhibits. But the most important thing to see here is the ornate capital of the roman column ending the Appia Way that used to be next to the one you saw this morning. The rest of the column is now in Lecce.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 8:00 - 20:30.

The temple of San Giovanni Al Sepolcro is a small church from the 12th century. But what is impressive are the medieval frescoes that are still pretty well preserved. Don't miss to walk around the pleasant little garden in the back of the building.
Open hours Tuesday - Sunday 8:00 - 21:00 Closed on Mondays.

Drive to Lecce and park the car at your hotel or you can find a spot close by this impressive door of the city called Naples door. It is the main city gate and it was erected in 1548.

The cathedral of Lecce is located on the "Piazza del Duomo" a beautiful square where this cathedral is a masterpiece. The 12th century cathedral was reconstructed in 1659 by Giuseppe Zimbalo, a famous architect from the 17th century. It is definitely worth visiting inside as well. Nest door, there is the 17th century Episcopal palace and the 18th century seminar.
It is the most important and impressive square of Lecce. It is also the place where you can buy a ticket that includes the visits for this cathedral, the episcopal palace and other churches in Lecce like the ones you will visit tomorrow. If you have more time, you can visit all the churches of the pass and some more.
Open hours Monday - Sunday 9:00 - 21:00.

Enjoy a nice dinner in this very good restaurant in the center of Lecce.
Open hours Monday - Saturday 12:30 - 14:10, 19:45 - 22:30.

After this very long day of driving and sightseeing, it's time to rest. But if you still have energy, you can go to a bar for a drink, Lecce is a very lively student city. Tomorrow, you will visit some more interesting sites in Lecce, it is a city that has a lot to offer. Lecce has about more than 40 churches and just as many palaces, it is also a very pleasant city to spend some time in.