The Belloluogo tower is an old fortified tower in Lecce, an important example of late-Angevin military architecture.
What to see
The tower, cylindrical in form, is still surrounded by its original water-filled moat. Inside it keeps some rooms and an interesting, richly frescoed chapel: the frescoes, to be ascribed to the early fifteenth century and attributable to the «Galatina school», show scenes from the life of Saint Mary Magdalene, the four evangelists, a Christ blessing and seven prophets. Outside it has an architecture similar to that of the Torre del Parco, with battlements, arrow slits and machicolations, mostly vanished, but of which some traces remain on the crown.
According to tradition the tower was built in the fourteenth century by Walter, or Hugh, of Brienne, but there are no certain sources to attest it; indeed the architecture is very similar to that of its twin, the Torre del Parco, at the other end of the city, and this leaves doubts about the fourteenth-century construction. Certain sources tell instead that it was the home of Maria d'Enghien, countess of Lecce and queen of Naples, who spent the last years of her life there.
Visiting
The tower is in Lecce. The sources consulted give no opening hours nor how the interior, with the frescoed chapel, can be visited: these should be checked.
Our editors' tip
Its twin, the Torre del Parco, stands at the other end of the city: those who like late-Angevin military architecture can compare them.
