Patria Palace in Lecce, Apulia, reopens after four-year makeover
Patria Palace, a former 18th-century palace-turned-hotel in Lecce has reopened following a four-year renovation project. Originally designed by Mauro Manieri, a Lecce-based 18th-century architect, the hotel is open from March to December, and is a near year-round destination. Born as a noble residence of the Petrarolo D’Anna family, Patria eighteenth-century palace rises majestic and elegant in the heart of Lecce. Over the centuries the palace has experienced all different souls of hospitality. It evolved into a loving home for orphans, before being transformed into the city’s first Locanda (inn) for travelers in 1850. It reopened as a luxury hotel in 1980.
Situated in a small Piazzetta overlooking the Basilica of Santa Croce, the hotel has a rooftop bar, a gourmet restaurant that showcases Salento’s cuisine, an outdoor lounge bar, and 58 rooms and suites with views over the city. Guests can expect authentic coffered ceilings in carved wood, stained glass windows and antique marble floors. The rooms and suites express the different nuances of beauty of the Palace. Other original features that have been retained and restored include frescoes, vaulted ceilings and carved balconies. Each room has artisanal ceramics, locally sourced fabrics, and luxury amenities and comforts.
This year, guests can expect the launch of the Patria Palace Wellness area, which will incorporate two spa suites, a Turkish bath, sauna, two private pools as well as indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, all carved out of the property’s original stone walls.
Situated on the Salento Peninsula, Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” has existed for over 2,000 years, and offers a blend of different eras, histories and cultures. Guests of Patria Palace are only a few steps away from the city’s popular attractions, including the Basilica of Santa Croce and the Jewish Museum. The property can organize guided tours, in addition to a Lecce Food Tour, led by a sommelier, and food and wine expert. As the city is only a short drive to Salento’s Adriatic coast, Patria Palace also provides a Beach Club private shuttle service, available every day between June and September.
