Friday, July 22, 2016

Love by Lecce: Piazza Sant'Oronzo

Side note: Why is Blogger's video tool so terrible? Someone fix this ASAP. As a quick reminder, these posts labelled "syllabus post" will be in English and Italian! And, if you speak Italian and notice mistakes in the post, let me know since I'm still learning. Thanks for reading!

Una delle mie zone preferite a Lecce è il centro storico: Piazza Sant'Oronzo. Ci sono molte cose da fare nella piazza. C'è un anfiteatro, una gelateria, una libreria, una farmacia, e (ovviamente) un McDonalds. Ci sono anche i monumenti storici. In piedi alta diversi metri c'è una colonna bianca con Sant'Oronzo in cima. Sant'Oronzo è stato il primo vescovo di Lecce e il santo patrono della citta. Io non sono religiosa, quindi non posso dirvi cosa questo significhi, ma sembra molto importante.
La prossima cosa che la gente potrebbe notare nel centro storico di Lecce è l'architettura barocca in combinazione con negozi moderni. Lecce è nota come la "Firenze del sud" ed è ornata con architettura barocca dalle chiese agli appartamenti che costeggiano le strade. Come ho detto prima, il McDonalds è nel centro storico. Diagonale dal ristorante fast food c'è un Sephora, e se si guarda in alto si può vedere la gente del mentre guarda fuori dai loro balconi degli appartamenti nella piazza.

Infine, c'è una lupa. Sì, una lupa. L'ultimo monumento in piazza è un mosaico lo simbolo di Lecce. Le pietre colorate si trovano nel centro della piazza e anche se non so molto circa riguardo allo stemma, so che non si sale sul lupo. Se una persona passi cammina sulla lupa, avranno la sfortuna per decenni.
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One of my favorite areas in Lecce is the historical center: Piazza Sant'Oronzo. There are many things to do in the piazza. There is an amphitheater, a gelato store, a book store, a pharmacy, and (of course) a McDonalds. There are also the historical components. Standing several meters high is a white column with Orontius of Lecce atop. Saint Orontius is called the first bishop of Lecce. I am not terribly religious, so I can't tell you what this means, but he seems very important looming over the entire square.
The next thing that people might notice in the historic center of Lecce is the baroque architecture combined with modern architecture. Lecce is known as the "Florence of the south" and is adorned with endless baroque architecture from the churches to the apartments that line the streets. As I said before, the McDonalds is in the historical center. Diagonal from the fast food restaurant is a Sephora, and if you look up you might see locals peering out from their apartment balconies into the piazza.

Lastly, there is a wolf. Yes, a wolf. The last notable monument in the piazza is a mosaic of Lecce's coat of arms. The colorful stones are in the center of the piazza and though I don't know much about the coat of arms, I know that you do not step on the wolf. If a person steps on the wolf, they will have bad luck for decades.

I hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about Lecce and the culture of the south of Italy. Thanks for keeping up with my travels and let me know what your favorite aspect of the Piazza Sant'Oronzo is!

18 comments:

  1. Look amazing!!! Would love to go there someday! xo, alex // http://the-fashion-brief.com

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    1. Thank you, you should definitely check it out!

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  2. I got lost in Lecce once trying to go to Lake Como! Italian is essential there because hardly anyone speaks English!

    Tori
    www.mooretori.com

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    1. That's so funny! It definitely is, I've become a pro at ordering in Italian since we go out to eat all. the. dang. time.

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  3. The pictures are beautiful! I love the architecture!

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  4. So beautiful! I'm dying to go!

    Greta | www.gretahollar.com

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  5. Such gorgeous photos! You're making me miss Italy so much!

    La Belle Sirene 

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    1. Thank you!! I know I'll miss it the second I leave :(

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  6. Wow, this looks amazing! I would love to go to Italy someday :)

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  7. Wow I had no idea that Lecce was the Florence of the South. Looks like a cool place.

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    1. I just got back from Florence and can confirm they are very similar!

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  8. A few years back my husband and I quit our jobs and went traveling across Europe. Italy was, by far, one of our all-time favorite countries! Haven't been to Lecce, though. All the more reason to come back, right? ;)

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    1. Italy is so beautiful, you'll definitely have to check out Lecce sometime haha!

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  9. Italy is so beautiful! Thanks for all the tips

    Laura B. | LauraWears.com

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