Lecce


Lecce, sometimes called the Florence of the south, is the main city on Puglia's Salento Peninsula. Because of the soft limestone that's easy to work, Lecce became the center for the ornate architecture called the barocco leccese and the city is filled with Baroque monuments. The historic center is compact making it a great place for walking and its restaurants offer abundant fine food typical of Puglia. Also notable are the traditional handicrafts, especially the art of paper mache'.