About
The Chiesa di San Matteo, also known as the Church of Saint Matthew, stands on Via dei Perroni in Lecce, the city in Apulia often called the Florence of the South for its ornate Baroque buildings. It is a church to visit for its architecture, which departs from the usual pattern of the city's religious buildings.
An unusual facade
The church is best known for its elliptical facade, designed by Achille Carducci. Rather than the flat, rectangular front common in local churches, the curved façade gives the building a distinctive shape. Built in the 17th century, the church reflects an inventive approach to Baroque design in Lecce, and many visitors come specifically to look at this front before going inside.
What a visit offers
- A close look at an elliptical Baroque facade, an unusual form for the area
- A quieter stop among the sights of the historic centre
- A convenient place to see how Lecce's Baroque style developed beyond its best-known monuments
Because the church sits in the old town, it fits naturally into a walk through the centre, where narrow streets lead past other churches, palazzi and squares. Allow time to wander the surrounding area and compare the building with the more familiar decorative churches nearby.
For up-to-date information before you go, you can call the church on +39 0832 306062. The address is Via dei Perroni, 29, 73100 Lecce LE, Italy.