Which one to choose in Lecce
Two churches in Lecce. Santa Maria di Cerrate Abbey has 1 ticket or tour to book; Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce has 2 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Lecce, Italy
The Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate stands in the countryside about fifteen kilometres north of Lecce, in Puglia, Italy, surrounded by olive groves, and a ticket is required; it is managed by FAI, the Italian National Trust, which restored it and opened it to the public. It is one of the finest examples of Apulian Romanesque architecture and a peaceful place far from the crowds.
Lecce, Italy
Santa Croce is the building that made Lecce famous and the one thing every visitor sees. Access arrangements have changed in recent years and a small admission is now charged in some seasons, sometimes combined with the adjoining former monastery, so check at the door rather than assuming free entry. Walking tours of the old town start or end here and take in the cathedral square, the Roman amphitheatre under the main piazza and the workshops where the soft local limestone is still carved;
| Santa Maria di Cerrate Abbey | Basilica of Santa Croce, Lecce | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Monastery & Abbey | Basilica |
| Opened | — | 1549 |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | 1 | 2 |
| Official website | — | yes |