The Basilica has a cross-vaulted roof with a hemispherical cupola. The inside is divided into three naves by columns with richly sculpted capitals. The central nave has an intricately carved timber lacunar nave, while those to the sides have cross-shaped vaulted ceilings. The building is entered via three portals with archivolts with lintels, the central of which is sumptuously decorated.
The internal façade is punctuated by a series of columns, arches and a balustraded balcony supported by engraved corbels. The sculpted decorations are characterized by a spirit of gaiety and eccentricity. The façade is completed by the great rose window, finished in 1646, decorated with floral friezes, bunches of fruit and cherubs.
The sculpted internal fittings are made from local Lecce stone which is soft and smooth and can be worked with the blade of a knife and a lathe. Once in position and exposed to the air, this stone hardens like marble. Because of this quality, the decorations are known by the people of Lecce as opera decurtieddu (meaning made with a knife in local dialect).
A Brief History:
The building was begun in 1353 by Gualtieri VI di Brienne, Count of Lecce and Duke of Athens, and left unfinished on his death at the battle of Poitiers in 1356. Construction was continued years later in 1549 by Gabriele Riccardi and finished in the 17th century by the sculptors Frencesco Antonio Zimbalo, who is responsible for the vestibule and the side portals, and Cesare Penna, who completed the upper part of the design by Giuseppe Zimbalo, known as lo Zingarello (the little gypsy) in 1646. In 1906, the church was raised to the status of Basilica by Pope Padre Pio.
Main Works:
Don’t miss: the extremely rich internal decoration and especially the altar of St Francesco di Paola, decorated by Francesco Antonio Zimbalo with twelve bas reliefs depicting the life of the Saint.
Style:
The Basilica is built in the classic Lecce Baroque style.
Sources: By the editorial staff Updated on: 23/12/2008
Project created in collaboration with InnovaPuglia.
Regione Puglia
Regione Puglia