# Basilica di Santa Croce

> The Basilica di Santa Croce is regarded as the masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Lecce.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/lecce-santa-croce/

The baroque heart of Lecce, with a façade of carved honey-coloured stone covered in animals, flowers and figures. Park outside the historic centre, then stroll to the nearby cathedral square for more of the same warm stone.

The Basilica di Santa Croce is regarded as the masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Lecce. Building began in 1549 and was completed in 1695, with several master builders working on it over those two centuries. The portals were added from 1606 under Francesco Antonio Zimbalo; Cesare Penna created the upper façade with its rose window, and Giuseppe Zimbalo its decoration. The façade is densely covered in sculpture: animals, fantastical creatures and plants. Some of the figures represent Turkish prisoners, a reference to the Battle of Lepanto. The main portal bears the coats of arms of Philip III of Spain, Mary of Enghien and Walter VI of Brienne.

Inside, the church has the plan of a Latin cross, seventeen altars and a richly worked wooden ceiling. Half an hour to an hour is usually enough for the façade and interior. Park outside the historic centre and continue on foot; the cathedral square is close by.

- **Nearest town:** Lecce, Italy
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 40.3523, 18.1742

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Italy: Motorway tolls.** Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

## Sources

- [Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Santa_Croce,_Lecce)

## Nearby

- [Grotta della Poesia](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b11-grotta-poesia/) – 23 km
- [Torre dell'Orso](https://camping-spirit.com/places/torre-dellorso/) – 24 km
- [Porto Selvaggio](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b11-porto-selvaggio/) – 29 km
- [Otranto bauxite quarry](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b11-bauxite-quarry/) – 37 km

## FAQs

### Where is Basilica di Santa Croce?

Basilica di Santa Croce is in Lecce, Italy, at GPS 40.3523, 18.1742. It is about 23 km from Nardò.

### Can you camp near Basilica di Santa Croce?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Torre Rinalda Camping Village, about 15 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Basilica di Santa Croce?

Places worth a stop nearby: Grotta della Poesia (23 km), Torre dell'Orso (24 km), Porto Selvaggio (29 km) and Otranto bauxite quarry (37 km).

### When is the best time to visit Basilica di Santa Croce?

The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June, August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)