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.
The entrance to the Great Pyramid, Giza, Egypt, 2580-2560 BC
The original entrance to the Great Pyramid of Giza is on the north face, about 56 vertical feet above ground. Built by the 4th Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) between 2580-2560 BC, the Great Pyramid is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex. It is also the oldest and only remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. For over 3,800 years it was the tallest man-made structure in the world at 146.5 metres (481 feet). The Great Pyramid consists of an estimated 2.3 million blocks of limestone and granite weighing more than 5.5 million tons. Originally, the Great Pyramid was cased in polished white limestone that formed a smooth outer surface; little remains of the casing. Today, only the underlying stepped core can be seen.
Join Frank’s Tuesday Photo Challenge: Build
The New 3 Rs: Retire, Recharge, Reconnect 