Chiesa di San Matteo
Chiesa di San Matteo
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
308 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
104
Average
10
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,028 contributions
Apr 2022
This is the last church in the combined ticket offer. Its exterior is currently covered in scaffolding (April 2022) but the interior is beautiful and somehow quite simple despite still being in baroque style.
The shape is almost oval, fascinating.
There is a sweet little bust of Mother Theresa which you should look out for.
The shape is almost oval, fascinating.
There is a sweet little bust of Mother Theresa which you should look out for.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Israel R
Ra'anana, Israel16,126 contributions
Aug 2019
The Chiesa di San Matteo building, according to travelers’ guidebooks, is the "Most Daring" Baroque Design building found in Lecce. The exterior of the church is incredibly special and most impressive. The contents of the church is incredibly and extraordinary rich. During our visits in many Italian churches we have visited up to now, this church is "IN THE OPENING FIVE" in all areas. "A must-visit that should NOT 2 B MISSED."
Written July 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SeekerOfGoodValue
Saint Louis, MO333 contributions
Sep 2019
Today, a child outside of a church in Lecce, Italy blew bubbles in the middle of a wedding party. The bubbles blew past the bride and groom towards me. The bride whispered something in her husband's ear, perhaps "I love you" or "I'll love you forever." One of the bubbles floated past me. The child laughed. The bubble popped. It was, then it was not. Each moment is precious. Each bubble reflects a world. Life is a series of bubbles. Enjoy every one. San Matteo is not a sterile example of the baroque. It is the heart of a community. Wouldn't the 17th century architect be happy to know his church is still alive.
Written November 2, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TeamW73
Ipswich, UK32 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
We were ushered in to this church by a big burly man, which we thought was a little odd. Within seconds we observed him demanding money from the people as they were leaving the church. As each person left he was shouting "money on the table, money on the table" and if you didn't put any in said goodness knows what to you in Italian It really rather put us off and we rushed our visit. However, the inside of the church is amazing and if you don't mind being bullied, is worth a visit. This is the first time we have come across this and rather hope it is the last.
Written September 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
N7084CIpaulp
Bangkok, Thailand35 contributions
Sep 2019
This church was included in a ticket for the main 4 churches in Lecce so we included in our tour. Interesting but not very impressive and in need of repair. Interesting was watching the caretakers trying to evict the two pigieons who fly in through the door
Written September 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brun066
Florence, Italy11,681 contributions
Mar 2016 • Couples
It is said that the Baroque style in Lecce is characterized mainly because its most original contribution is applied, rather than to architecture, to decoration of buildings. From this point of view, perhaps the most famous monument in Lecce, the Santa Croce's Basilica, is revealing: the incredible, exuberant decoration of the facade fits into a pattern that is after all the architecture of the Italian Renaissance (and to some extent even the previous architecture of the Romanesque facades); see also, in Santa Croce's aisles, the echoes of sharp spatial conception of the great Florentine architect Filippo Brunelleschi.
But every rule has its exceptions, and this San Matteo church (built between 1667 and 1700) is indeed an exception. Here the baroque is not mere decorative affixing to a classic architectural scheme; the same architecture moves away from that scheme, to adhere to the most imaginative forms of the international baroque.
A good example of these forms are the creations of architect Francesco Borromini (1599-1667), native from the Ticino region (ie, the Italian-speaking Switzerland) but operating mainly in Rome. The peak of his creativity can be seen in the Roman churches of S. Ivo alla Sapienza and San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane.
And in fact the S. Carlino church is here the subject of attention. As in Rome, the Baroque exuberance here is not entrusted to a sumptuous decoration, but it applies to volumes themselves, which are far away from the Renaissance geometries: the convex bottom facade versus the concave top one; the oval indoor plant.
Then inside and outside the church there are many noteworthy decorations, altars, paintings..... But it is the haunting architectural form of the church to found its greatest originality.
But every rule has its exceptions, and this San Matteo church (built between 1667 and 1700) is indeed an exception. Here the baroque is not mere decorative affixing to a classic architectural scheme; the same architecture moves away from that scheme, to adhere to the most imaginative forms of the international baroque.
A good example of these forms are the creations of architect Francesco Borromini (1599-1667), native from the Ticino region (ie, the Italian-speaking Switzerland) but operating mainly in Rome. The peak of his creativity can be seen in the Roman churches of S. Ivo alla Sapienza and San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane.
And in fact the S. Carlino church is here the subject of attention. As in Rome, the Baroque exuberance here is not entrusted to a sumptuous decoration, but it applies to volumes themselves, which are far away from the Renaissance geometries: the convex bottom facade versus the concave top one; the oval indoor plant.
Then inside and outside the church there are many noteworthy decorations, altars, paintings..... But it is the haunting architectural form of the church to found its greatest originality.
Written March 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SoCalOregonian
Murrieta, CA9,961 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
This church built in 1667, replaced a 1500’s chapel dedicated to St. Matthew. The façade is unique in that the lower portion is convex and the upper portion is concave, creating a unique and interesting façade.
Inside it is of a single nave design with the high alter featuring numerous columns with small statues of saints between the columns, In a central niche is a 1691 wooden sculpture of St. Matthew.
Inside it is of a single nave design with the high alter featuring numerous columns with small statues of saints between the columns, In a central niche is a 1691 wooden sculpture of St. Matthew.
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BeaTravels
London, UK165 contributions
Aug 2018
Catholic church aslso known by the locals as Santa Maria della Luce. This little church as most of Lecce baroque chuerches bears the fingerprints of Giuseppe Zimbalo.
Written December 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
libius2018
Moscow, Russia32 contributions
May 2018
It is a charch of Franciscanian order in Lecce built in style barocco Romano outside, barocco l Leccese insight. There are some beautiful capellas and magestic main altarpiece. Realy recomend for visiting
Written August 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peter P
437 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
The facade of this extraordinary church, located on a small street, is one of the most daring and most interesting of all of the architectural marvels of the city of Lecce. It should be enough to convince anyone of what the Baroque was about and what greatness it could attend.
Go on a Sunday, and you will some of Lecce's population in their finest (and sometimes outrageous) fashions.
Go on a Sunday, and you will some of Lecce's population in their finest (and sometimes outrageous) fashions.
Written June 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Blackdragonz
Province of Naples, Italy270 contributions
Salve, volevo chiedere: quali sono gli orari di apertura?
Chiesa di San Matteo, Lecce
Frequently Asked Questions about Chiesa di San Matteo
- We recommend booking Chiesa di San Matteo tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Chiesa di San Matteo tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Chiesa di San Matteo:
- (0.01 mi) Pollicastro Boutique Hotel
- (0.02 mi) Appartamento San Matteo - palazzo XVII secolo
- (0.02 mi) Dimora dell'Artista B&B
- (0.02 mi) Little Dolce
- (0.02 mi) Dimora San Biagio Suites & Apartment
- Restaurants near Chiesa di San Matteo:
- (0.02 mi) Road 66
- (0.02 mi) Kingallo
- (0.03 mi) Pica Lecce
- (0.03 mi) Trattoria Nonna Tetti
- (0.10 mi) Tabisca Il Vico dei Tagliati