Church of Sant’Irene and former Teatini Convent

The Church of Sant’Irene is dedicated to the ancient patron saint of Lecce. Before Sant’Oronzo, the saint was venerated by the people of Lecce because she saved them from an earthquake. \n\nAttached to the church is the former Teatini Convent, accessible from Corso Vittorio Emanuele II: owned by the municipality, it today hosts cultural initiatives, exhibitions and, during the Christmas season, the ancient Fiera di Santa Lucia, the “pupi” exhibition for the nativity scene and works of art in papier-mâché and terracotta. \n\nThe facade of the Church of Sant’Irene is sober, adorned with a sculpture of the saint and the depiction of the she-wolf with the leccio tree, the symbol of the city. \n\nThe baroque in all its splendor is manifested inside with richly decorated altars, twisted columns, putti and floral decorations. Another statue of Sant’Irene can be found on the altar, depicted in the act of holding the entire city in one hand. Behind her is one of the most interesting paintings by Oronzo Tiso, the Transport of the Ark of 1758.