CinX's Travels 2015

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

Matera by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

January 2015 - Lecce, Italy

Lecce (Italian: [ˈlettʃe], Griko: Luppìu, Latin: Lupiae, Ancient Greek: Ἀλήσιον) is a historic city of 95,200 inhabitants in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce, the second province in the region by population, as well as one of the most important cities of Apulia. It is the main city of the Salentine Peninsula, a sub-peninsula at the heel of the Italian Peninsula and is over 2,000 years old.

Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed "The Florence of the South". The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture going back to its foundation; the Messapii who founded the city are said to have been Cretans in Greek records. To this day, in the Grecìa Salentina, a group of towns not far from Lecce, the griko language is still spoken.

In terms of industry the "Lecce stone" is the city's main export, because it is very soft and malleable, thus suitable for sculptures. Lecce stone is a kind of limestone. Lecce is also an important agricultural centre, chiefly for its olive oil and wine production, as well as an industrial centre specialising in ceramic production.

The most important is the Church of the Holy Cross (Chiesa di Santa Croce). It was begun in 1353, but work was halted until 1549, to be completed only in 1695. The church has a richly decorated façade with animals, grotesque figures and vegetables, and a large rose window. Next to the church is the Government Palace, a former convent.
Lecce Cathedral is also one of the most significant cathedrals in Italy. It was originally built in 1144, and rebuilt in 1230. It was totally restored in the years 1659–70 by Giuseppe Zimbalo, who also built the 70-metre (230 ft) high bell tower, which has five storeys and an octagonal loggia.

The Roman Amphitheatre, built in the 2nd century and situated near Sant'Oronzo Square, was able to seat more than 25,000 people. It is now half-buried because other monuments were built above it over the centuries. The theatre is currently used for different religious and arts events.

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[CinX]

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

[CinX]

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr

Lecce by cinxxx, on Flickr