Details of the Façade of Santa Croce

With the enigmatic allegorical references, mysterious figures and perspective tricks of its facade, the Basilica of Santa Croce never fails to fascinate and intrigue.

Its complex decorative scheme goes beyond the usual formal and ornamental approach of Lecce Baroque, displaying a unique exuberance and richness.

In fact, although it is considered the masterpiece of Lecce Baroque, its style is rooted in the sober and elegant taste of the Salento Renaissance.

Only later, under the influence of the Baroque, the distinctive display of decorations would take the shape that characterises its opulent and evocative appearance.

The complex façade is the result of the work of the most important Renaissance and Baroque sculptors and architects from Lecce.

Although they merge with each other, the 16th-century Renaissance lower order can be easily distinguished from the 17th-century Baroque upper order.

The laying of the first stone took place in 1549 under the direction of Gabriele Riccardi, who designed the building and supervised the construction of the lower order of the façade.

The early 17th-century main portal and the two side portals were built by Francesco Antonio Zimbalo.
The work was then completed by Cesare Penna, who built the upper order, and Giuseppe Zimbalo.

Above the main portal, 6 putti in low-relief sustain the dedicatory inscription, with the date 1632 in Roman numerals at the bottom centre.

The upper order of the façade is sustained by highly symbolic and enigmatic figures.
Kneeling men in Turkish clothes seem burdened by the balcony that rests on their shoulders.

The collection of real and fantastic animals draws fully from medieval Bestiaries: there are the gryphon and the dragon, but also the suckling she-wolf, a well-known symbol of the city.

On the balcony, thirteen putti hold the tiara and the crown, symbols of the spiritual and temporal powers.

On the tympanum, the Holy Cross is triumphant over heresy and paganism.