Today Traivel takes you to discover the history of the Statue of Saint Oronzo in Lecce.
In the heart of Lecce, in Piazza Sant'Oronzo, stands the majestic statue of the city's Patron Saint, a symbol of protection and devotion for the people of Lecce. Saint Oronzo, venerated as the protector of Lecce, is linked to a centuries-old tradition that sees him as the one who saved the city from the plague in the 17th century, an event that consolidated his figure as patron.
The statue, positioned on an ancient Roman column from Brindisi, has a fascinating history. Work on its construction began in 1666, but was interrupted due to lack of funds, resuming in 1681 and ending in 1686 under the supervision of the architect Giuseppe Zimbalo. The monument was enriched with a stone base, balustrades and statues, while the capital was recovered from one of the terminal columns of the Via Appia.
The original work, made of Venetian wood and covered in copper, depicts Saint Oronzo in episcopal robes blessing the city. In 1737, during the patron saint's festivities, a rocket damaged the statue, which was rebuilt in bronze in Venice and relocated in 1739.
During the Second World War, to avoid damage, the statue was temporarily removed and kept in the Duomo of Lecce, before being restored and returned to the column. Today, to preserve it, the original has been replaced with a bronze copy, keeping its presence alive in the heart of the city.
The statue of Saint Oronzo is not just a monument, but a point of reference for the people of Lecce, who every year on August 26 celebrate their patron saint with festivals, religious rites and illuminations, renewing a tradition of faith and belonging that has lasted for centuries.
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