There is an arrogance in thinking that having spent 4 weeks here I know Lecce. The old city is mostly walled and therefore limited. But yet I still discovered new places today just from walking about with my eyes wide open.

 

What I love about this place is that every turn produces a new intake of breath.  So today I walked towards the third gate. I’d not seen it before and I don’t really know why. On the way I passed all of the following in the space of about 3 minutes…

img_2042 a beautiful church inside and out and then…

 

Before reaching the gate. It’s the smallest of the three

 

But impressive in its own way.   Sadly at each gate there is also the obligatory person, down on their luck and living off what little change they are given.

And tonight I broke out from beyond the walls and met my lovely Italian teacher Carmen at a local bar where everyone knows everyone and were very welcoming. The real Leccese I think I’ve finally found you…