Chiesa di San Francesco della Scarpa (Church of Saint Francis della Scarpa), Lecce

The Church of Saint Francis della Scarpa is a historic religious building rooted in the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Originally constructed in the 12th century on the site of a Guarini family palace, the church reflects a long history of transformations. Its name, “della Scarpa,” refers to the Franciscan friars who once wore sandals, distinguishing them from other orders.

Between 1699 and 1714, the church underwent significant rebuilding with support from the Guarini family, which is still evident in the presence of their coat of arms inside the church.

Known as the “church without a façade,” Saint Francis della Scarpa blends medieval origins with later Baroque influences. Its rich artistic decorations, including stucco work and frescoes, emphasize the region’s architectural evolution.

The interior layout shifted from a traditional Latin cross to a Greek cross, featuring Corinthian and Tuscan pilasters that run through the nave. Four of the original ten altars remain, including those dedicated to the Annunziata, the Immaculate Conception, Saint Louis, and Saint Francis of Assisi. The adjacent oratory, tied to a tradition that Saint Francis of Assisi once prayed there during his travels, houses seventeenth-century frescoes and a canvas depicting the saint.

A courtyard orange tree is said to have been planted by Saint Francis himself, adding a unique spiritual connection to the site.

Though no longer active as a church, the building now serves as a cultural venue, hosting art and craft exhibitions in a space that beautifully showcases Lecce’s Baroque heritage.