Lecce - Torre del Parco

Perhaps one of Lecce’s most strikingly unusual attractions, of its many historical monuments and buildings, is the Torre del Parco, or Park Tower, which has come to be something of a symbol for the beautiful medieval city of Lecce.  Originally constructed in 1419 at the behest of the then-18 year old prince of Lecce, Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo, this tower has a history as rich, varied and unusual as the city in which it is situated.  The Torre del Parco stands at over 23 meters tall and affords unparalleled views of Lecce itself, and as such is a must see for any visitor coming to the area, quite apart from the building’s own history.

The ditch that surrounds the Park Tower was originally used as an enclosure in which to raise bears, which were one of young Prince Orsini’s heraldic symbols, while the tower itself has variously been used as a court or arbitration, a royal mint, and a palatial residence, in the years since the Prince’s death.  With a history as varied and colourful as that, not to mentions the views of Lecce from the ramparts, the Torre del Parco deserves its place as one of the city’s most rewarding sights and certainly warrants your attention.

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