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Province of Lecce
Lecce
Things to Do in Lecce
Chiesa di Sant'Irene

Chiesa di Sant'Irene, Lecce

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Chiesa di Sant'Irene

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Chiesa di Sant'Irene
4.5
276
#12 of 139 things to do in Lecce
Religious Sites
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
650 within 3 miles
Pizza&Co
1,926
0.1 mi$ • Italian • Pizza • Fast Food
Tabisca Il Vico dei Tagliati
933
0.2 mi$$$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • Mediterranean
Mexal
163
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Mexican • Healthy • Vegetarian Friendly
Prendici Gusto
548
226 ft$ • Italian • Fast Food • Deli
Miro Coffee, Bistrot & Lounge Bar
373
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Bar • Cafe
La Bottega del Corso
453
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Deli
Mille E Una Crepes
467
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly
Baldo Gelato
293
0.3 mi$ • Dessert • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Mezzo Quinto Cibo di Strada
240
0.1 mi$ • Italian • Mediterranean • Street Food
Quanto Basta
914
0.2 mi$$ - $$$
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Attractions
182 within 6 miles
Centro Storico, Lecce
5,663
370 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Piazza del Duomo
1,132
444 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Duomo di Lecce
2,603
464 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Cattedrale di Lecce - La Cripta
95
464 ftReligious Sites
Porta Napoli
325
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Info Lecce
16
504 ftVisitor Centers
Church of Santa Maria della Porta or St. Louis
26
347 ftChurches & Cathedrals
Museo Diocesano
50
457 ftSpeciality Museums • Architectural Buildings
Palazzo Vescovile
8
0.1 miArchitectural Buildings
Centro Storico di Scorrano
4
464 ftHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
276 reviews
Excellent
138
Very good
106
Average
28
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Merrowmum
Guildford, UK977 contributions
An interesting church
Saint Irene was the former patron saint of Lecce, but this church is not as obvious to spot as some in the city. An attractive facade leads in to an equally attractive interior, still highly decorated compared to British churches but quite subdued compared to others in Italy! Our guide took us in specifically to see one of the paintings, by an artist who went on to live and work in England for much of his life. It does shut over lunch, at least in April, so be careful about timings if you want to visit.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bigos
Laren, The Netherlands44 contributions
very beautiful church
one of the 3 churches to see in Lecce. Very beautiful stonework and possibility to burn a non electric candle
Written November 4, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gerry D
Alloa, UK178 contributions
Former Patron Saint
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.
Written October 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Vadim
Murmansk, Russia22,930 contributions
Modest, but elegant.
Family
The Church of St. Irene was built by the project of Francesco Grimaldi, from 1591 to 1639. The Church was built traditionally in the form of a Latin cross. The Church is famous for the fact that the plebiscite for the entry of Lecce into Italy took place here in 1866. The altar of St. Irene is to the left of the transept. Nine sculptures of saints protect it. Christians have several saints with this name. This Irene is famous for its invulnerability. Her father tied her to a horse, she was thrown into a ditch to snakes, sawed with an iron saw. And she still remained alive.
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mmarymomm
Pleasanton, CA1,738 contributions
Poor St. Irene who lost her status of patron saint of Lecce
Couples
There are a lot of stories about St. Irene who was martyred around the turn of the 1st century. Somehow, though, she ended up as the patron saint of Lecce and reigned as such until 1656 when Bishop Oronzo saved the city from the plague. It is not clear why he was given credit instead of Irene. Anyway, she was ousted and St. Oronzo became the patron saint of Lecce.

This is a small church in her honor. Like most of the churches in Lecce it is over the top decorated in the Baroque style. Worth a quick look.
Written April 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AlyceM
Memphis, TN119 contributions
Lecce is full of beautiful churches...
Couples
But this is one of the most impressive. Not for size, but that the carvings all around, even in the side chapels, are ornate and lovely. Allow time to just sit and contemplate all the work that had to go into the building of it.
There was, the day we went, a gentleman sitting by the door suggesting that a small contribution be made to support the church. This is common in many churches, not just in Italy, but in France and Spain as well. We are happy to drop a € or two for the opportunity to appreciate and allow others to continue to appreciate such a spiritual place.
Written October 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Whittlesford
Haselbury Plucknett, UK490 contributions
A jewel
Couples
For those of us whom the local guidebook regard as Lutheran heretics, this church is a splendid statement from the counter-reform. Huge and airy, baroque but restrained, it celebrates a lady who was dethroned as Lecce's saint, apparently because she was a Byzantine saint and good old Oronzo was thought more suitable. There is no St Oronzo's church in Lecce, though he is the city's patron.
Written July 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Eric D
Turin, Italy242 contributions
My mom's name sake
Couples
Had to visit it for my mom. It's really worth to walk the few steps from Piazza Sant' Oronzo to this church. The two side altars are really special. Beware of self-appointed guides even if they seem knowledgeable.
Written April 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Haebee
Singapore, Singapore762 contributions
Interesting and detailed
Couples
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!
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sbizzle
Ludlow, UK1,472 contributions
A very different church compared with many
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.
Written October 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Chiesa di Sant'Irene
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