St Oronzo square in Lecce

St. Oronzo square is the principal square of Lecce. It has a characteristic mosaic paving on which is represented the city coat of arms. The buildings that look onto the square, built between Middle age and XIX century, constitute an heterogeneous architectural group, with many different styles, that coexist in a harmonious way. From 1656 the square is dedicated to the Saint Patron of the city, the statue of St. Oronzo is situated on a big column which rise in the centre of the square represent him in the act of blessing the city. The legend tells that during plague epidemic that afflicted all the Reign of Naples, Lecce was spared thanks to the saint intervention. The column is just one of the attractive of the square, as we said a part of the square is stood by the Roman Amphitheatre. There are the ex seat of the City Hall, that today houses art exhibitions, and the ancient church of St. Mark which remembers the little Venetian community that lived in the city, and the church of St. Mary of Grace, which was built in 1590 after a mysterious find of a painting representing the Virgin with the baby.