The Salento peninsula, as well as having a huge landscape and natural heritage, it is an area rich in history and culture, and this can also be seen from the large number of churches in Salento.
These ancient buildings represent the faith and devotion of the Salento community, but also the architectural beauty and art that have spanned the centuries.
From the baroque churches of Lecce and small villages to the rock churches of the countryside, each of them holds a unique history and unparalleled beauty.
In this article we will explore some of the most iconic and significant churches of Salento, from their origins to the works of art they house.
Churches in Salento
The churches of Salento bear witness to the evolution of architecture and art over the centuries, and today they represent a major tourist attraction due to their beauty and priceless value. Being a combination of different architectural styles and foreign influences, the churches of Salento bear the marks of the Romanesque and Gothic style, as well as the Baroque. Not only that, in Salento there are several beautiful underground churches, Byzantine churches< span style=”font-weight: 400;”> and there are also deconsecrated churches, which have taken on another destination of use.
What style are the churches of Lecce?
Most of the churches of Lecce was built according to a style architectural style called “barocco leccese“, characterized by elaborate decorations and sculptures in pietra leccese, a golden and malleable limestone rock.
This style developed starting in the 16th century and reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. Lecce Baroque is distinguished by the use of excessive decorative motifs, such as triumphs of flowers and fruit, exotic animals, leaves, as well as human figures and mythological deities. Another common feature in the churches of Lecce is their internal lighting, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
How many churches does the city of Lecce have?
The city of Lecce has many religious buildings including basilicas, cathedrals and churches; among the main there are more than 30, but there are also smaller churches scattered throughout the city.
What churches does the city of Lecce have?
As we said, the churches of Lecce are really many. In this article we will tell you about those that we think are worth seeing due to their beauty and historicity:
- Basilica di Santa Croce;
- Duomo di Maria Santissima Assunta;
- Chiesa di Sant’Irene dei Teatini;
- Basilica di San Giovanni Battista;
- Chiesa del Gesù;
- Chiesa di Santa Chiara;
- Chiesa del Carmine;
- Chiesa di San Matteo;
- Chiesa dei Santi Niccolò e Cataldo;
- Chiesa di Santa Teresa;
- Chiesa di Sant’Anna;
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Provvidenza;
- Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli;
- Chiesa di San Giovanni Evangelista;
- Chiesa della Madre di Dio;
- Chiesa di Sant’Antonio della Piazza;
- Chiesa di Santa Maria della Porta;
- Santuario di Sant’Antonio a Fulgenzio.
Underground churches in Salento
Another very common typology are the underground churches in Salento, i.e. those built entirely underground, since at the time digging in the tuff was easier than build a building.
Among the main underground churches in Salento we mention:
- Cripta dello Spirito Santo ad Andrano;
- Cripta di Santa Marina a Miggiano
- Santuario di Maria Santissima di Montevergine a Palmariggi;
- Cripta del Pantocratore a Castrignano del Capo;
- Cripta della Madonna dell’Attarico ad Andrano;
- Insediamento rupestre di Tabelle a Galatone;
- Grotta di San Giovanni a Giuggianello;
- Cripta Madonna della Grotta a Poggiardo;
- Cripta di San Salvatore a Giurdignano;
- Chiesa rupestre di Santa Maria delle Grazie a Minervino di Lecce;
- Cripta dei Santi Stefani a Poggiardo;
- Cripta di Santa Maria degli Angeli a Poggiardo;
- Cripta del Crocefisso a Ruffano;
- Cripta Madonna della Consolazione a San Cassiano;
- Cripta Madonna della Grotta ad Ortelle;
- Cripta dell’Assunta a Sanarica;
- Cripta di Santa Cristina a Carpignano Salentino;
- Cripta di Sant’Onofrio a Castrignano dei Greci;
- Cripta della Madonna di Coelimanna a Supersano;
- Cripta di Sant’Angelo a Uggiano la Chiesa;
- Cripta di San Sebastiano a Sternatia;
- Cripta di San Marco a Ruffano.
Chiese bizantine nel Salento
The influence of Byzantine art can be seen in churches, crypts and hypogea in the Salento area through the marvelous frescoes characteristic of this style. Although many churches were renovated in later styles such as the Baroque, the frescoes of the crypts and the rock settlements have remained intact to this day and that is why the Byzantine churches are a must-see in your itinerary in Salento.
Among the main Byzantine churches in Salento we mention:
- Cripta di Santa Marina e Cristina a Carpignano Salentino;
- Chiesa di Santa Marina di Stigliano a Carpignano Salentino;
- Chiesa Santa Maria della Croce, “Casaranello” a Casarano;
- Cripta del Crocifisso a Casarano;
- Cripta dello Spirito Santo a Castiglione d’Otranto;
- Basilica bizantina a Castro;
- Cripta basiliana a Corsano;
- Cripta di Santo Stefano a Cursi;
- Cripta di San Giovanni Battista a Cutrofiano;
- Chiesa di San Mauro a Gallipoli;
- Cappella Madonna dell’Idri a Nociglia;
- Basilica bizantina di S. Pietro in Otranto;
- Chiesa di Sant’Eufemia a Specchia.
These are just some of the Byzantine churches in Salento, you can consult the complete list here .
Romanesque churches in Salento
The Romanesque churches of Salento, on the other hand, were built between the 11th and 13th centuries, with an architectural style characterized by a basilica plan with three naves, very thick side walls and usually have large central rose windows in the main facade, all in light stone and few external decorations.
Among the main cRomanesque churches in Salento we mention:
- La Basilica di Santa Caterina d’Alessandria a Galatina;
- L’Abbazia di Santa Maria a Cerrate;
- La Chiesa di San Giovanni al Sepolcro a Brindisi;
- La Chiesa di San Benedetto a Brindisi;
- La Chiesa del Cristo (o del Crocifisso) a Brindisi;
- La Chiesa di Santa Maria del Casale a Brindisi.
Deconsecrated churches in Salento
There are also some deconsecrated churches in Salento, i.e. churches that are no longer used for religious functions, but which have been transformed into museums or cultural spaces. Among these deconsecrated churches are:
- la Chiesa di San Francesco della Scarpa a Lecce;
- la Chiesa della Madonna del Carmine a Gallipoli;
- la Chiesa di Santa Maria del Tempio a Tricase.
Templar churches in Salento
The Templar churches are churches or places of worship built by the Knights Templar, a Christian monastic-chivalric order active during the Middle Ages. These knights, although it may seem strange, also inhabited Salento and evident traces of them remain in some churches and religious buildings. Among all we mention:
- Cappella della Madonna del Verde a Maruggio;
- Chiesa di San Giovanni al Sepolcro a Brindisi;
- Chiesa di Santa Maria del Casale a Brindisi.
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