Lecce's Castle

The castle is located near Piazza San'tOronzo.
To make way for the imposing mass of the castle, the Celestine Convent with the Church of Santa Croce were demolished and later rebuilt in Via Umberto I, and the elegant palace of which few traces remain, was incorporated in the central building.
The castle had not only defensive functions: for example, in the 18nth century one of the rooms was used as a theater.
From 1870 to 1979, the castle was a barracks and military district. On 30 April 1983, the Military Administration gave the castle to the town of Lecce. The first floor of the castle area is used for keeping events, promote cultural initiatives and realize exhibition routes.