Seat

The Palazzo del Seggio is a small, parallelepiped-shaped building characterized by large pointed arches and surmounted by a Renaissance-style reredos. It was built in 1592 at the behest of Venetian Doge Pietro Mocenigo on the remains of a building demolished a few years earlier.

The interior is decorated with frescoes narrating episodes from the life of Charles V, while on the side wall is a stone bust of Charles of Bourbon, king of Spain, and an epigraph in Spanish sent by him in 1744 to thank the city of Lecce for the gift of two jugs containing holy oil from Sant'Oronzo. Until the early 20th century, the "Sedile" boasted a turret with a clock and two figures holding a bell. It was removed, but the clock was displayed inside the monument.

Originally, the Palace of the Seat served as a prestigious ammunition depot and, over time, was also home to the Town Hall, the National Guard and the Civic Museum. Today it houses the tourist office and temporary art exhibitions.

Next to the palace stands the small church of St. Mark, which was once a kind of private chapel for Venetian merchants.

Opening times

Price:

free