Church of the Nativity of the Virgin

The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin, commonly known under the title of Santa Maria Nova, is a church in the historical center of Lecce, in via Idomeneo. It is a rectory belonging to the Maria Santissima Assunta in Duomo.
In the 18th century, the building was in disrepair and had to be subject to some small restorations in 1712 and in 1753. Nevertheless, five years later, the Dominican nuns decided to rebuild it. The works were carried out between 1779 and 1782 by design of Neapolitan engineer Charles Salerni. It was consecrated in October 14 1783 by Archbishop Giulio Pignatelliof Otranto, as noted by the Latin inscription on the sides of the apse.