Basilica of Santa Croce

The Basilica of Santa Croce, or as it is also called the Basilica of the Holy Cross, is certainly one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. It is located in the city of Lecce on Via Umberto I. On the left side (when viewed from the front) it adjoins the former building of the Celestine Monastery (now Palazzo dei Celestini), together with which a single whole is formed from the best examples of Baroque in Lecce.

External part

The Basilica of Santa Croce is an honorary title given to churches that stand out for their historical, pilgrimage, liturgical and pastoral value. The monastery existed on the site of the current basilica since the 14th century, but only in the second half of the 16th century was it decided to expand it and turn it into a real pearl of art. Renovation work, which involved the greatest local architects of the time, began in the mid-16th century and continued throughout the next century.

Facade of the Basilica of Santa Croce

Two main phases can be distinguished: the first lasted from 1549 to 1582 (its completion can be seen in the inscription on the facade: Templum hoc Deo Crucis vexillo dicatum. AD MDLXXXII ─ this temple is dedicated to God and the symbol of the Cross. Year of the Lord 1582), when we managed to complete the lower part of the façade up to the balcony supported by telamons (statue-like supports supporting other architectural elements) - six grotesque human figures (for example, a kneeling Turkish soldier) and seven animal allegories (for example, a she-wolf feeding a Roman).

This stage of the construction of the Basilica of Santa Croce is associated with the name of Gabriele Riccardi. There are other elements of this period on the façade: six large smooth columns separated by a row of small arches and four rosettes.

Three of the thirteen telamons supporting the balcony

The next stage of construction of the Basilica of Santa Croce began in 1606 and can be associated with another famous figure in architecture, Francesco Antonio Zimbalo, under whose leadership three portals were added to the main façade. The outer two, despite their obvious beauty, are less impressive. The one on the left is decorated with the Celestine coat of arms, and the one on the right is decorated with the symbol of the Cross. The central portal is much richer - it is larger, surrounded by double Corinthian columns mounted on pedestals, rotated 45 degrees and crowned with three coats of arms: Philip III of Habsburg, Mary of Enghien and the Prince of Athens - Gualtier of Brienne.

The lower part of the described facade (constituting the so-called first order) is separated from a second, typically Baroque, balcony, decorated with thirteen putto figurines (a decorative motif depicting a small naked boy or angel), embracing either a crown (symbol of earthly power) or a tiara ( symbol of power over souls).

Second order of the Basilica of Santa Croce with its most characteristic elements ─ rosette and tympanum. The basilica of Cesare Penna and Giuseppe Zimbalo (son of Francesco) acquired its final appearance. To the first we owe the entire upper part of the facade (that is, the second order) with its most characteristic element, that is, the rosette inspired by Romanesque art (next to which the date 1646 is engraved).

The rosette is surrounded by bay leaves and berries and is highlighted by Corinthian columns on either side. They separate the central part of this part of the basilica from two side niches where the statues of St. Benedict and Pope Celestine V. Two female figures, symbolizing Faith (right) and Courage (left), are the extreme elements of the second order of the façade. However, the culmination of everything is the monumental tympanum with a triumphant cross.

Interior

Basilica of Santa Croce Santa Croce was built on a Latin cross plan. It was originally divided into five naves, but in the 18th century two of them were “absorbed” by chapels. The vault of the naves is supported by two rows of columns (eighteen in total). The first pair of them (the first from the entrance) is built into the outer wall, and the last two pairs separate the transept from the triumphal arch.

It is here, at the intersection of the arms of the cross (which make up the plan of the basilica), that stands a high dome, decorated with festoons depicting acanthus leaves, angels and floral motifs. All columns of the Basilica of Santa Croce have a height of 5.81 m and a diameter of 0.736 m. They are made of limestone blocks quarried locally. On their capitals, instead of the typical acanthus leaves, flowers, fruits, angels and birds are carved.