Lecce: Baroque, Archaeology and Museums

At the Museo del Teatro Romano, a cultural look at Lecce begins with traces of ancient Lupiae. The museum preserves archaeological finds from excavations that brought the ancient monument to light. The exhibition “Roma. La scena della vita” explores stage design and illusionistic representation in the Roman world; a model reconstructs a larger urban area of imperial-era Lupiae, ancient Lecce. In this way, the history of a building is linked with a picture of its urban surroundings. Those interested in the Roman period can view the finds, staging and city model as different ways of exploring the past.

Archaeology between City and Countryside

The Museo Provinciale “Sigismondo Castromediano” is the oldest museum in Apulia. Its archaeological exhibitions trace the history of Salento from prehistoric times onward, with particular focus on the Messapian and Roman periods. The Parco Archeologico di Rudiae offers a specific place to explore this long history: the settlement was founded by the Messapians; the Roman amphitheatre was built in the early years of the 2nd century AD under Trajan. The visitor route begins in the Fondo Acchiatura area. From there, you can visit two paved streets running at right angles to each other, a place of worship and a Hellenistic hypogeum. Mediterranean plants grow on the site, including thyme, white-flowering wild rocket and orchids. The archaeological structures and plant life together shape the impression of the site.

Art Collections and Historic Places

The Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra di Lecce displays paintings, sculptures, silverware and liturgical vestments. The collection also includes objects from the cathedral of Lecce’s liturgical treasury, mainly from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Pinacoteca d’Arte Francescana in Palazzo Fulgenzio, a 16th-century building, tells a different story of collecting. Its holdings include more than 300 paintings from the 16th to the 19th century. There is also a collection of Apulian landscape painters from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as an exhibition area for papier-mâché sculptures. Those comparing art topics will find both sacred objects and church-related works, alongside paintings and sculptures in different forms.

The Museo Ebraico di Lecce is housed in a medieval palace on the site of a 15th-century synagogue, in the city’s historic Jewish quarter. Visible features include basins for ritual washing, a doorpost niche for a mezuzah and the remains of the church building on the site of the former synagogue. The museum presents the traditions and history of the Jewish community that lived in Lecce in the Late Middle Ages. The architectural traces and historical context give a visit a different focus from the art and archaeological collections.

City History and Culture in Salento

The MUST – Museo Storico della città di Lecce combines archaeological and immersive experiences: its permanent archaeological exhibition covers the Messapian era, the Roman imperial period and the Middle Ages in Lecce. It also offers 3D virtual reality, an immersive virtual tour and 3D clips on the city’s Baroque heritage. At the MUSA – Museo Storico-Archeologico dell’Università del Salento, the tour extends across five rooms. They document the research findings of historians and archaeologists from the University of Salento in Salento and other Mediterranean regions. On display are more than 300 artefacts from the university’s excavations in Salento, along with archaeological reproductions and multimedia videos. MUSA makes its permanent exhibitions accessible, hosts temporary exhibitions and organises conferences open to everyone.

Other places and activities in Salento offer their own distinctive experiences. The historic foundation of the Abbazia di Santa Maria di Cerrate is dated to between the late 11th and early 12th centuries; Bohemond of Hauteville founded a community of Greek monks at that time. More than 180 bird species live in the Riserva Naturale Oasi WWF Le Cesine at different times of the year. Visitors can watch wetland birds from observation hides; the number of species varies by season. The Ciclovia del Salento Ionico runs along the coast from Ugento to Manduria, passing through five parks and green spaces. Its described landscape themes range from coastal and inland areas to art, culture, wine and food culture. A food and wine tour focusing on Primitivo and Negroamaro is also offered in Salento; check availability with the provider before your trip.

For your stay, it helps to set a clear thematic priority: Lecce offers collections, archaeological sites and city history, while the cycling route, wetland birdwatching and wine and food culture cater to other interests in Salento. SalentoinBus makes it easier to reach the coast, villages and many other places in Salento; the 2026 edition offers additional travel connections. As routes and timetables are seasonal, check connections for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations: Torre Saracena, Torre Specchia Ruggeri, Taviano, Salice Salentino, Marina Di Novaglie, Montesano Salentino, Calimera, Punta Prosciutto, Taurisano, Seclì, Veglie, Vignacastrisi, Felline, Ruffano, Capilungo, Borgagne, Lequile, Surbo, Cerfignano, Carmiano, Tuglie, Serrano, San Foca, Poggiardo, Neviano, Monteroni Di Lecce, Minervino Di Lecce, Melendugno, Maglie, Leuca, Frigole, Strudà, Castrignano De' Greci, Morciano Di Leuca, Otranto, Porto Cesareo, Giurdignano, Galatina, Casalabate, Arnesano, Alliste, Marina Di Mancaversa, Parabita, Martano, Fontanelle, Castrignano Del Capo, Supersano, Corigliano D’otranto, Cavallino, San Cassiano, Acaia, Galatone, Corsano, Rosa Marina, Marina Di Andrano, San Cesario Di Lecce, Andrano, Casarano, Nociglia, Uggiano La Chiesa, Nardò, Specchia, Cutrofiano, Marina Di Pescoluse, Presicce, Sogliano Cavour, Marina San Gregorio, Caprarica di Lecce, Gemini, Tiggiano, Alessano, Porto Badisco, Marittima, Spongano, Merine, Ruggiano, Castro Di Lecce, Gagliano Del Capo, Gallipoli, Alezio, Guagnano, Torre Mozza, Rivabella, Marina di Marittima, Torre Suda, Villaggio Resta, Soleto, Surano, San Dana, San Cataldo, Sannicola, Cannole, Bagnolo Del Salento, Tricase, Lido Marini, Ugento, Ortelle, Acquarica Del Capo, Palmariggi, Collemeto, Sanarica, Marina Di Ugento, Cursi, Marina Serra, Melissano, Sternatia, Carpignano Salentino, Torre Vado, Squinzano, Sant'isidoro, Torre Chianca, Zollino, Aradeo, Trepuzzi, Torre Rinalda, Copertino, San Pietro In Lama, Depressa, Galugnano, Lucugnano, San Donato Di Lecce, Giuggianello, Campi Salentina, Scorrano, Casamassella, Lizzanello, Collepasso, Vernole, Patù, Muro Leccese, Racale, Salve, Santa Caterina, Santa Cesarea Terme, Santa Maria Al Bagno, Torre Dell'orso, Torre Pali, Torre San Giovanni, Tricase Porto, Lecce, Leverano, Torre Lapillo, Diso, Novoli, Vitigliano, Baia di Gallipoli, Melpignano, Baia Verde, Posto Rosso, Pacci, Cocumola, Matino, Conca Specchiulla

For the main travel overview: Apulia.