The Archive and the City
The Archive and the City
By its very nature, the Municipal Historical Archive of Lecce belongs to the commons — a shared resource that becomes collective heritage. Here, memory steps down from the shelves and speaks to people: no longer just a list to be consulted, but a shared narrative that carries forward the city’s places, work and social life. A story that engages students, citizens, families, and anyone wishing to discover Lecce’s history up close.
This vision lies at the heart of the Archive’s mission: by moving from the urban periphery to the monumental complex of the former Augustinian Convent, the Archive has restored centrality to the city’s cultural heritage — making it visible, alive and participatory, through new forms of access supported by innovative and immersive technologies.
Together, we are building new ways of inhabiting history.
The project
“The Archive and the City: safeguarding, conservation, access and enhancement of the Municipal Historical Archive” is a project launched in 2021 with the support of the Ministry of Culture through the Culture Fund.
It was born of a clear goal: to bring the Historical Archive back to the heart of city life.
A project rooted in care, attentiveness and responsibility.
Thanks to the joint work of public officials, archivists, architects and cultural project specialists, the Archive has undergone a profound transformation. Thousands of documents have been reorganised and digitised; a digital portal has been created to make the holdings accessible to all; and new tools for engagement have been designed, such as the Holographic Theatre.
This collective initiative has brought together many professionals across different fields, guided by the belief that a city’s history is not only to be preserved, but nurtured over time, together. This is why, with the public opening in June 2025, we hope the community will take an active role: not only exploring the Archive, but helping to keep it alive.