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
|
||
|
||
 Lecce
|
||
| Coordinates: 40°21′N 18°10′E / 40.350°N 18.167°ECoordinates: 40°21′N 18°10′E / 40.350°N 18.167°E | ||
| 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.
...
Wikipedia