As of October the entire structure was covered with a picture of what is hidden underneath. You can see it’s twin Roman column minus the saint in Brindisi (marking the end of the Appian Way) where this one originated.

Orontius was the first Bishop of Lecce and is revered by the Church as a Holy Martyr and patron of the city. We see a column with his image on the main square of the city, Piazza Sant'Oronzo. The sculptural composition was created by Giuseppe...More

Now the object closed on maintenance works. The column is a gift of Brindisi to Lecce ans was stayed in fi\nal point of Appian road where the other one is stayed yet.

Maybe I should say the current patron saint of Lecce since they had a prior one, St. Irene, who lost her patronage when it was recorded that Bishop Oronzo, later St. Oronzo, of Lecce had saved the city from the plague. He stands on his...More

Sant'oronzo plays an important role in the history of Lecce and nearby Ostuni. He towers over the Piazza. Don't just pass him by. Give him the time he deserves. It's like ignoring Nelson's Column in London if you just walk past.

The column is the symbol of the city. It has been manufactured using the pieces of an old roman column originally placed in Brindisi where the "Via Appia" ended. The column is now in the square of San Oronzo surrounded by buildings not really related...More

This was built in 1592 at the request of the then mayor who must have liked tall spires because he did a good job and it is still standing. It sits adjacent to the Roman Amphitheatre and both are worth a visit.