Lecce -Italy

Lecce is a historic city in southern Italy, the capital of the province of Lecce as well as the one of the most important cities of Apulia. It is the main city of the Salentine Peninsula, a sub-peninsula at the heel of the Italian Peninsula and is over 2,000 years old. Because of the rich Baroque architectural monuments found in the city, Lecce is commonly nicknamed the “The Florence of the South”. The city also has a long traditional affinity with Greek and Roman cultures going back to its foundation; the Messapii who founded the city are said to have been Cretans in Greek records.
In terms of industry the “Lecce stone” is the city’s main export, because it is very soft and malleable, it is very good for sculptures. Lecce stone is a kind of limestone. Lecce is also an important agricultural centre, chiefly for its olive oil and wine production, as well as an industrial centre specialising in ceramic production. As of 2007, Lecce had a population of around 94,100 inhabitants.
Lecce is located about 6 km far from the South Adriatic Sea and 20 Km far from the Ionian Sea. Around the main town there is an array of tourist and historical villages and small towns, especially along the coast (Gallipoli, Ostuni, Porto Cesareo, Otranto etc).
Lecce has a typical Mediterranean climate, warm all the year around. During the conference, we expect the weather to be sunny, warm and dry (temperature usually ranges around 25-30°C during June).