The historic center of Lecce, the capital of the Salento region in Puglia, is built of a soft white limestone that is easily carved.

Lecce met the Baroque on its own terms, with the local stone used both on the exterior and in the interior.

Unfortunately, the stone is so soft that it erodes easily.

Fossil shells can be seen in worn surfaces.

Over time, the white stone turns yellow. In the past the stone surfaces would have been plastered, but the plaster also deteriorated.