Sunday 25 May 2025 the gates of the palazzi and monuments have once again opened in the historic centre of Lecce for New edition of “Cortili Aperti”.

For the XXX edition of the review showcasing city monuments and historic buildings usually inaccessible to the public because they are privately owned, so many schools organised their pupils to act as tour guides through the streets of ancient Lecce.

Following last year's success, the students were also the protagonists of Years 4 and 5 of Primary School and all classes of the Lower Secondary School at the International House Oxford Institute in Lecce.

Our students have had the opportunity to tell fellow citizens and tourists, in Italian, English and Spanish, about the wonderful Piazza Duomo and some of the most interesting noble palaces in the city: Apostolico Orsini Palace, Andretta Palace, Carrelli Palombi Palace, Ignazio Falconieri Square and the Church of Saint Elizabeth

Furthermore, the THE OXFORD BAND She performed live at the former Convent of Santa Chiara, which is now the site of the Must museum. The lads played classics from the Anglo-Saxon and Latin pop-rock repertoire, to a torrent of applause and enthusiasm.

The visits were plentiful and the experience was beautiful and engaging. Around the courtyards also the Mayor of the city of Lecce, Adriana Poli, who greeted our 'Ciceroni for a day' students through the streets of beautiful Lecce.

The teachers expressed their happiness and satisfaction regarding the students' ease in speaking the language with the numerous tourists, their skill, and the care they put into preparing the tours, not to mention the musical and singing talents they demonstrated.

Finally, the educational director of the IH Oxford Parity School Anna Grazia Buttazzo  He wanted to thank everyone, teachers, students and staff, for the commitment shown during the preparation days and on such an emotional day!