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The saint was a courageous lady who was martyred for her faith. The church has many detailed and beautiful carvings and sculptures n frescoes. I particularly loved the singing on the right with many flying baby angels. Such a delight! It’s wooden ceiling seemed unfinished. Altogether a charming church!…
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Date of experience: November 2019
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After the visual overkill of the inside of the duomo, the inside of st. Irene is far more subdued and relaxing. There is still swathes of baroque plasterwork, but it is more uniformly pale and in a very large space. I enjoyed this church more than many.
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Date of experience: October 2019
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The church of St Irene is actually simpler and thus more beautiful inside than many of the others in Lecce which are so overwhelming that eventually you have had enough of Baroque.
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Date of experience: October 2019
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This church, named for the former patron saint of Lecce was constructed starting in 1591 and consecrated in 1639. The façade is composed of a lower section with 4 empty niches and in the center is the entry portal topped with a statue of Saint Irene. The upper portion of the façade has a central window flanked by 2 empty niches. Above the upper window is a phrase “Irene Virgini et Martiri” Inside has but a single central nave with 6 chapels, 3 on either side. The most notable painting inside is the Lapidation of St. Stephen by Antonio Verrio from 1658…
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Date of experience: March 2019
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Ossie Dias-Gunawardena wrote a review Oct 2018
Bicester, United Kingdom466 contributions141 helpful votes
This church was built between 1591 and 1639 to dedicate the city of Lecce's patron saint. Above the statue is the citys emblem, a She wolf and an acorn.
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Date of experience: October 2018
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