Palazzo del Seggio, fondly known as 'Il Sedile', stands in the bustling Piazza Sant'Oronzo in Lecce. Built in the late 16th century by Alessandro Saponaro, it replaced an older building that was demolished in 1588, under the orders of the then-mayor of Lecce, Pietro Mocenigo. The building embodies a unique fusion of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Notable architectural details include four ornamental pillars sporting oval holes concealing hidden columns, topped with grand arches in a Gothic style, reminiscent of a design possibly conceived by Gabriele Riccardi, as the same design can be seen at the right angles of the Basilica of Santa Croce.
Records reveal that the building used to house a clock adorned with two statues, yet over the years, it has accommodated various institutional purposes and functions as a tourist attraction. From 1851 until the 21st century, it served as the seat of the Lecce municipality, and later, it was transformed into an exhibition space and event venue.
In recent times, from 2023 to August 2025, it housed a tourist information office. Today, the original statue of Sant'Oronzo, which once stood on a nearby column, has found a new home within the palace, with a replica taking its place on the original column. A chapel of San Marco lies adjacent to the palace.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nicolo Ciampini
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