Basilica di Santa Croce

In the heart of Lecce, Italy, stands the magnificent Basilica di Santa Croce, a gem of Baroque architecture that tells a story of faith, artistry, and history. This breathtaking basilica, located on Via Umberto I, is a testament to the creativity and skill of the architects and craftsmen who worked on it over the centuries. The Basilica di Santa Croce, along with the adjacent Convento dei Celestini, forms a remarkable ensemble that epitomizes the opulence and intricate details of the Lecce Baroque style.

The History of Basilica di Santa Croce

The origins of the Basilica di Santa Croce date back to the 14th century when Gualterio VI de Brienne founded a monastery on the site. However, it wasn't until the mid-16th century that the area was transformed into a monumental zone. The construction of the basilica spanned two centuries, involving some of the most renowned architects of the time. The initial phase of construction began in 1549 and concluded in 1582, focusing on the lower part of the facade up to the grand balcony supported by atlantes depicting men and animals. The dome was completed in 1590, showcasing the influence of Gabriele Riccardi.

The second phase, starting in 1606, saw the addition of three intricately decorated portals to the facade, under the direction of Francesco Antonio Zimbalo. The final touches to the basilica were made by Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo, with Penna responsible for the upper part of the facade and the magnificent rose window, completed in 1646, and Zimbalo contributing the pediment at the top of the building.

Despite facing criticism in the 19th century for its elaborate decorations, the basilica has undergone a revaluation in the 20th century and is now celebrated as one of Lecce's architectural masterpieces. The Celestine monks administered the convent and the basilica until the order was suppressed in 1807. The church was later entrusted to the Arciconfraternita della Santissima Trinità in 1833, and the adjacent Palazzo dei Celestini now houses public offices.

The Exterior of Basilica di Santa Croce

The facade of the Basilica di Santa Croce is a visual feast, divided into five sections by six smooth columns supporting the entablature. The central portal, constructed in 1606, features Corinthian columns and displays the insignias of Philip III of Spain, Maria of Enghien, and Gualterio VI de Brienne. The lateral doors bear the coats of arms of Apulia and the Celestine Order. The entablature is adorned with a succession of atlantes, depicting grotesque figures and fantastical animals, supporting a balustrade decorated with thirteen putti embracing symbols of temporal and spiritual power.

The upper part of the facade is dominated by a grand rose window, inspired by Romanesque design and framed by laurel leaves and berries. Flanked by two Corinthian columns, the rose window is accompanied by niches housing statues of Saint Benedict and Pope Celestine V. The facade is crowned by a tympanum featuring the triumph of the cross, with statues symbolizing Faith and Fortitude standing on either side.

According to historians Maurizio Calvesi and Mario Manieri Elia, the intricate decorative program of the facade is linked to the celebration of the victory at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The atlantes dressed as Turks represent the prisoners captured by the Venetian fleet, while the animals under the balustrade symbolize the Christian powers allied in the battle.

The Interior of Basilica di Santa Croce

Stepping inside the Basilica di Santa Croce, visitors are greeted by a Latin cross layout originally divided into five naves, with two later absorbed into side chapels in the 18th century. The naves are supported by two orders of columns, totaling eighteen, with the central nave covered by a sumptuous coffered ceiling made of walnut wood and gilded parts. The side naves are topped with cross vaults, and a high dome adorned with festoons of acanthus leaves, cherubs, and vegetal motifs rises at the intersection of the cross.

The presbytery, stripped of its original wooden choir and main altar over the centuries, now features an 18th-century altar relocated from the Church of Saints Nicholas and Cataldo in 1956. The walls of the apse are decorated with paintings depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds, the Annunciation, the Visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth, and the Rest on the Flight into Egypt. The left side of the presbytery houses the funeral monument of Mauro Leopardo, the abbot of the Celestine convent.

The basilica boasts sixteen richly decorated Baroque altars within its nave and side chapels. On the left side, from the entrance, are altars dedicated to Saint Peter Celestine, the Immaculate Conception, the Annunciation, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Saint Andrew Avellino, Saint Irene, and the Pietà. The left transept features the altar dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola, a masterpiece by Francesco Antonio Zimbalo, considered the pinnacle of Baroque sculpture in the Terra d'Otranto region. The right transept houses the altars of the Trinity and the Holy Cross, the latter a Baroque work by Cesare Penna from 1637.

The right nave contains six chapels with altars dedicated to the Apparition of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, Saint Oronzo, Saint Philip Neri, Saint Michael the Archangel, the Nativity, and Saint Anthony of Padua. The last chapel preserves a 16th-century fresco of the Virgin of Constantinople.

The Organ of Basilica di Santa Croce

The basilica's organ, constructed by the Ruffatti Brothers in 1961, is an impressive instrument with electric transmission, featuring two keyboards with 61 notes each and a concave-radial pedalboard with 32 notes. Positioned on both sides of the presbytery, the organ adds a majestic auditory dimension to the basilica's already awe-inspiring atmosphere.

In conclusion, the Basilica di Santa Croce is not just a church; it is a symbol of artistic and spiritual devotion, a monument that encapsulates the rich history and cultural heritage of Lecce. Its intricate facade, magnificent interior, and historical significance make it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting this enchanting city.