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Lecce, Italy

Lecce
Comune
Comune di Lecce
Top left: Church of Santa Croce, Top right: Lecce Teatro Romano, Bottom left: Lecce Porta Napoli in Universita Street, Bottom middle: Saint Giovanni Cathedral in Perroni area, Bottom right: Lecce Cathedral in Duomo Square
Top left: Church of Santa Croce, Top right: Lecce Teatro Romano, Bottom left: Lecce Porta Napoli in Universita Street, Bottom middle: Saint Giovanni Cathedral in Perroni area, Bottom right: Lecce Cathedral in Duomo Square
Coat of arms of Lecce
Coat of arms
Lecce is located in Italy
Lecce
Lecce
Location of Lecce in Italy
Coordinates: 40°21′N 18°10′E / 40.350°N 18.167°E / 40.350; 18.167Coordinates: 40°21′N 18°10′E / 40.350°N 18.167°E / 40.350; 18.167
Country Italy
Region Apulia
Province / Metropolitan city Lecce (LE)
Founded 200s BC
Government
 • Mayor Carlo Salvemini (PD)
Area
 • Total 238 km2 (92 sq mi)
Elevation 49 m (161 ft)
Population (1 January 2015)
 • Total 94,766
 • Density 400/km2 (1,000/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Leccesi
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 73100
Dialing code 0832
Patron saint Orontius
Website Official website

Lecce (Italian: [ˈlettʃe] or locally [ˈlɛttʃe]; Sicilian: Lecci, Griko: Luppìu, Latin: Lupiae, Ancient Greek: Λουπίαι) is a historic city of 94,766 inhabitants (2015) 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"—a particular kind of limestone—is one of the city's main exports, because it is very soft and workable, thus suitable for sculptures. Lecce is also an important agricultural centre, chiefly for its olive oil and wine production, as well as an industrial centre specializing in ceramic production.


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