Details of the Façade of Santa Croce

Façade - Basilica of Santa Croce (1548-1646)ArtWork Cultura

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

Façade of the Basilica of Santa Croce - detailArtWork Cultura

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

Right portal of the Basilica of Santa CroceArtWork Cultura

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.

Saint Peter Celestine (Pope Celestine V) - Basilica of Santa Croce by Cesare PennaArtWork Cultura

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

Rose Window – Basilica of Santa Croce by Cesare PennaArtWork Cultura

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

Balcony of the Basilica of Santa Croce - detailArtWork Cultura

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

Fortitude statue - Basilica of Santa Croce by Cesare PennaArtWork Cultura

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.

Main portal of the Basilica of Santa Croce (1606) by Francesco Antonio ZimbaloArtWork Cultura

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.

Main portal of the Basilica of Santa Croce (1606) by Francesco Antonio ZimbaloArtWork Cultura

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

Balcony of the Basilica of Santa Croce - detailArtWork Cultura

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.

Balcony of the Basilica of Santa Croce - detailArtWork Cultura

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.

Balcony of the Basilica of Santa Croce - detailArtWork Cultura

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

The Holy Cross – Basilica of Santa Croce by Cesare PennaArtWork Cultura

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

Credits: Story

Content edited by ArtWork Cooperativa Sociale.

Project LeccEcclesiae

Media partner: Porta Lecce

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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