Chiesa di Sant'Irene
Chiesa di Sant'Irene
4.5

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles282 reviews
Excellent
140
Very good
109
Average
29
Poor
1
Terrible
3

Merrowmum
Guildford, UK1,284 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bigos
Laren, The Netherlands44 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2015
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gerry D
Alloa, UK182 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA13,464 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Couples

The baroque façade is undergoing a restoration, but some elements are visible.

Inside, there are three striking altars dedicated to the Saint Oronzo, the Saint Irene, and one altar dedicated to the Holy Family.

The interior was a surprise. It was rather restrained, subdued, compared to other Baroque churches we had visited. It was suggested by our guide that the money ran out during the construction, so additional adornments were left out.
Written September 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vadim
Murmansk, Russia26,794 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2017 • 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mmarymomm
Pleasanton, CA1,738 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2018 • 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AlyceM
Memphis, TN130 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Whittlesford
Haselbury Plucknett, UK605 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2015 • 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eric D
Turin, Italy242 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2012 • 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel S
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
A very special church housing many religious items of special meaning. HINT: try to be there for 12:00 bells - unforgettable.
Written September 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Chiesa di Sant'Irene, Lecce

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