Situated in the noble heart of Lecce, directly facing the exquisite limestone carvings of the Basilica di Santa Croce, Patria Palace is an 18th-century aristocratic residence transformed into one of Salento’s most iconic addresses, complete with terraces and a panoramic rooftop offering unparalleled views.

This five-star establishment forms part of HO Collection, an Italian hospitality group born from the entrepreneurial legacy of the De Gennaro family, who have operated in the hotel sector across Lazio and Puglia for nearly half a century.

The group manages Patria Palace with great passion, combining deep local roots, innovation, and a refined culture of hospitality.

Patria Palace offers an immersion into the vivere lento—the art of slow living—in Salento, framed by elegance, heritage, and timeless grandeur.

The History of the Palace: From Noble Seat to Lecce’s Premier Grand Hotel

The building was originally erected in the first half of the 18th century as a grand residence for the noble d’Aragon family. Designed by the acclaimed architect and sculptor Mauro Manieri—a pivotal figure of the Leccese Baroque who left an indelible mark on the city’s architectural landscape—the palace engages in a harmonious visual dialogue with the dramatic facade of the neighbouring Basilica.

During the 19th century, reflecting the city’s urban evolution, the residence was converted into a luxury hostelry, thus Hotel Patria was born, welcoming Grand Tour travellers, artists, intellectuals, and distinguished figures. In 1997 it became Puglia’s very first five-star hotel and an enduring symbol of luxury hospitality in Salento.

Following a meticulous conservation and restoration project, Patria Palace now accords its guests a choice of 43 effortlessly timeless rooms and suites. By weaving its rich historic heritage into a contemporary vision of hospitality, the hotel has earned numerous accolades, including membership in The Leading Hotels of the World.

The Terrace: Atenze Restaurant & Sira Rooftop Bar

Atenze Restaurant is the property’s fine-dining venue featuring a panoramic terrace overlooking the rooftops of the historic centre—providing an intimate, front-row view of Santa Croce’s famous rose window—alongside an outdoor dehors and an elegant dining room for the cold months. Led by Chef Cristiano Stamerra, the kitchen reinterprets authentic regional produce with creative contemporary nuance.

Another crown jewel of the hotel is the Sira Rooftop Bar, which during the summer season through September hosts Sira Kong—an innovative concept conceived in collaboration with Drink Kong, the celebrated Rome cocktail bar helmed by Patrick Pistolesi and a constant fixture in The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Here, high mixology converges with local aromas and heritage. Standout creations include the signature cocktail Friso, a novel homage to the Pugliese frisella, ripe tomatoes, and Mediterranean botanicals. The libations are complemented by a refined gastronomic menu crafted by Atenze, offering a subtle, modern take on Salentine traditions.

IDUME Spa: A Sanctuary of Water and Stone

Unveiled in 2026, IDUME Spa is a 360-square-metre wellness sanctuary named after the Idume, the subterranean river flowing secretly beneath the streets of Lecce.

Framed by travertine surfaces, vaulted ceilings, and sensory journeys created in partnership with the holistic beauty brand ALQVIMIA, the spa invites guests to slow down and rediscover wellness at the intersection of water and stone.

From 1 June, guests may also avail themselves of a dedicated Beach Club service in partnership with a beach venue along the Adriatic coast, accessible via a daily private shuttle operating at scheduled times.

The Secret

The marquisate palace once belonged to the Petrarolo d’Anna family, an illustrious Neapolitan dynasty with profound cultural ties, that in the late 18th century, relocated to Lecce, enriching the cultural and social life of the city. Direct descendants of the humanist poet Jacopo Sannazaro, the Petrarolo d’Anna family were prominent figures in the intellectual life of the Kingdom of Naples; three ladies of the house were even immortalised in Boccaccio’s early work, La Caccia di Diana—attesting to their high social prestige.

Useful Info

Patria Palace Lecce
Piazzetta Gabriele Riccardi 4
73100 Lecce
Tel. +39 0832 245111

Rooms: From €250 per night, breakfast included

Sira Rooftop Bar & Sira Kong
Cocktails: From €18 to €25
Tapas & Small Plates: From €15 to €30

Atenze Restaurant
Tasting Menu: From €110
Starters & First Courses: €28 – €38
Main Courses: €35 – €45

IDUME Spa
Wellness Paths & Treatments: From €90