A bit reluctant to leave this lovely little campsite but it is time, so we head north and inland to the town of Lecce. As is often the case, walking into the old town from the outskirts, I question whether it will be worthwhile as the streets are busy and dwarfed by grubby apartment blocks, cars parked every which way and very little in the way of green space and then we turn a corner….
And are greeted with clean pedestrianised streets lined with impressive, elaborate buildings and quaint archways and alleyways leading to more of the same….
Eventually leading us to the main Sant Oronzo Square, bathed in golden sunshine and alive with colour, the buzz of chatter and laughter and serenaded by music from a local guitarist….
The original 1739 wooden and copper sheathed statue of Sant Oronzo (the patron saint of Lecce) having been replaced in 2024 on the column by a bronze replica is now housed in a rather grand glass wrapped structure, which unfortunately was so reflective it was nigh on impossible to capture in this light but also quite engaging the way that is captured the crowds and buildings opposite….
Also in the Piazza is the original Roman Amphitheatre dating back to the 1st C and discovered in the early 1900’s when construction work began on the Bank of Italy. Only about a third of the amphitheatre has been recovered as the rest had already been built over….
Away from the main square we continued to wander around the relatively quiet streets….
Until we had completed a circuit of the old town, before making our way back to the Park and Ride on the outskirts where we had left the van.
Next stop beautiful Alberobello – featuring some 1500 Trulli houses (drystone circular huts with conical roofs built without mortar so that they could quickly be dismantled should the Kingdom of Naples Tax Inspectors come looking) dating back to the 15th & 16th C and what a magical place….
We wandered around for several hours as it was just so enchanting and becoming even more magical as the sun began to set….
We spent the night just a few steps away on very well organised motorhome aire / car park – all services including electricity and very safe – perfect.
Today’s stats:
- Miles driven – 94
- Miles walked – 6
- O/N – £20.88
