Palazzo del Seggio, known as "Il Sedile", stands in Piazza Sant'Oronzo in Lecce. Built in 1592 by the architect Alessandro Saponaro, it replaced an older building that was demolished in 1588 under the orders of the then-mayor of Lecce, Pietro Mocenigo. The structure is characterized by four pillars with oval holes that leave a column visible, featuring large pointed arches topped with loggias and decorated with trophies.
The type of corner pillar recalls a model probably designed by Gabriele Riccardi, as the same pillar can be seen at the right side of the Basilica of Santa Croce. Ancient prints of the square show that the building was also completed with a clock topped by two statues. The palace is located next to the small church of San Marco.
The Sedile was used in the past for various institutional purposes and as an exhibition space. Until 1851 it served as the seat of the city's municipality. Between the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it served as a venue for exhibitions and events, while from 2023 it hosted a tourist information office. Currently, it houses the original copper statue of Sant'Oronzo that once stood on the nearby Colonna, which has been replaced by a copy.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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