Palazzo dei Celestini – a masterpiece of sacred and civic art

History and description

Built in 1352, when Gualtieri VI of Brienne founded the first Celestine convent, the building was later demolished in 1549 by order of Charles V and subsequently expanded. Between the mid and late 17th century, it was further modified by Giuseppe Zimbalo and Giuseppe Cino. After the suppression of religious orders, it first became the Government Palace and today serves as the Prefecture and Province of Lecce. Constructed entirely of Lecce stone, the palace features a rusticated façade with sculpted cornices and heraldic friezes. Inside, visitors can admire a cloister, an honor staircase, and several rooms such as the Prefect’s Office, the Hall of Coats of Arms, and the Grand Ballroom.

Curiosities

The cloister of the palace, which includes an effigy of Gabriele Riccardi, was the site of the first experiment with electric lighting in the city in 1859.

Access

The building, easily recognizable, can be visited at the cost of €8, with free entry and specific reductions available.

How to reach it

Located in the historic center of Lecce, the palace can be reached by car (with parking available nearby), by train or bus, and on foot while strolling through the city’s most beautiful streets.

A true masterpiece of Baroque art, blending sacred and civic functions, the Palazzo dei Celestini is one of the most elegant and beautiful structures in Puglia—an unmissable destination for architecture lovers.