Chiesa di Santa Chiara (Saint Chiara Church), Lecce
The Church of Santa Chiara sits right in Lecce鈥檚 historic center and it鈥檚 been drawing eyes since 1429, when Bishop Tommaso Ammirato decided the city needed something special for the Poor Clares (an enclosed Order of nuns). Rolling into the late 1600s, and architect Giuseppe Cino gave it a dramatic Baroque makeover鈥攂ecause in Lecce, stone never stays plain for long.
The fa莽ade leans into theater. Its curving shape immediately stands out, and the lower section frames a decorated portal bursting with leafy carvings. Above, a niche held aloft by smiling angels proudly displays the Poor Clares鈥� coat of arms. The upper level repeats the rhythm with pilasters and niches but ups the drama with a big central window and a scrolling top, like the curtain call of a play.
Step inside and the stage gets bigger. The church鈥檚 elongated octagonal plan leads your eyes to a deep presbytery under a starry vaulted ceiling. Along the walls, chapels break up the space, each decorated to impress. The altars go all-in on Baroque flair: twisted columns wrapped with angels, birds, garlands, and scrolls. Wooden statues from the late 1600s stand guard, while niches host saints, creating a full house of heavenly residents.
The true star is the high altar, anchored by twisted columns and crowned with a statue of Saint Clare of Assisi in pride of place. Adding to the richness, you鈥檒l also find a canvas of Saint Agnese by Francesco Solimena, one of the most important painters of the Baroque era, tucked near the altar of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Santa Chiara proves that Baroque wasn鈥檛 just about grandeur鈥攊t was about joy, energy, and detail so rich it feels alive.
The fa莽ade leans into theater. Its curving shape immediately stands out, and the lower section frames a decorated portal bursting with leafy carvings. Above, a niche held aloft by smiling angels proudly displays the Poor Clares鈥� coat of arms. The upper level repeats the rhythm with pilasters and niches but ups the drama with a big central window and a scrolling top, like the curtain call of a play.
Step inside and the stage gets bigger. The church鈥檚 elongated octagonal plan leads your eyes to a deep presbytery under a starry vaulted ceiling. Along the walls, chapels break up the space, each decorated to impress. The altars go all-in on Baroque flair: twisted columns wrapped with angels, birds, garlands, and scrolls. Wooden statues from the late 1600s stand guard, while niches host saints, creating a full house of heavenly residents.
The true star is the high altar, anchored by twisted columns and crowned with a statue of Saint Clare of Assisi in pride of place. Adding to the richness, you鈥檒l also find a canvas of Saint Agnese by Francesco Solimena, one of the most important painters of the Baroque era, tucked near the altar of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Santa Chiara proves that Baroque wasn鈥檛 just about grandeur鈥攊t was about joy, energy, and detail so rich it feels alive.
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Chiesa di Santa Chiara (Saint Chiara Church) on Map
Sight Name: Chiesa di Santa Chiara (Saint Chiara Church)
Sight Location: Lecce, Italy (See walking tours in Lecce)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Lecce, Italy (See walking tours in Lecce)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Lecce, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Lecce
Creating your own self-guided walk in Lecce is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Lecce's Baroque Churches Walking Tour
Lecce isn鈥檛 shy about its reputation鈥攊t鈥檚 often called the 鈥淐apital of Baroque,鈥� and one stroll through the old town makes it clear why. This southern Italian city turned its soft local limestone, Lecce stone, into an architect鈥檚 playground. Elaborate fa莽ades, swirling details, and sculptures bursting from the walls made the 17th century feel like one long design competition. And with... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Lecce Introduction Walking Tour
German historian Ferdinand Gregorovius called Lecce 鈥渢he Florence of the Baroque era.鈥� The city traces its beginnings around the time of the Trojan Wars, which took place around the 11th century BC. However, it first steps firmly into the record in the 3rd century BC as Lupiae under Roman control. The name is thought to come from lupus, the Latin word for wolf, recalling the animals that once... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles