The grande hall formerly the Music Room (Sala della Musica with its seventeenth century mirrors and console table modernised in contemporary context to evoke the idea of a wunderkammer, a magical room – a communal space for Palazzo Luce guests. William Kentridge’s classically inspired “laser cut” heads dialogue with the delicate natural lacerations of Thomas Ruff’s, photographic series, Jpg, slit to effect an imaginary window. The installation of Cangiante 5, a site-specific work by Giuliano Dal Molin eliminates the boundary between sculpture and painting. The immense wall to wall carpet designed by Joseph Kosuth expressly for the Palace is dedicated to the fairy tale, The Emperors New Clothes, written by Hans Christian Andersen a work very much loved by the artist since childhood.

With the original wainscott done in white wood, and the large polychrome tessellated sofas of Brigitte Niedemair and Martino Gamper, this Library is an ideal place to relax, to read and enjoy tea or coffee. A selection of books specifically curated by Kings Federica Perazzoli and Daniele Innamorato – for this space, is available to guests; volumes dedicated to art, design, film, photography, fashion and to lifestyle can be referenced in this or the other library. A delicate balance between light and color envelops these spaces, and, also here, there is no absence of art: from Ettore Spallettis sculpture Sottosopra to Marzia Miglioras all immersive site-specific installation of mirrors that through their reflection, elicit the power of words and of language.

Once the studio of Luigi de Secly intellectual, journalist and editor in chief of la Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno this library which looks onto a peaceful inner courtyard, conserves the original wainscotting panelling in dark wood and the same welcoming atmosphere. It is a perfect reading room space from which to take advantage of a carefully curated selection of books dedicated to art, photography, design, lifestyle and fashion which Kings Federica Perazzoli and Daniele Innamonrato have amassed for Palazzo Luce: a library of creative imagination and style in its entirety – enlivened by the presence of Audrey Larges contemporary sculptures, an interdisciplinary form of design, that merges with new digital frontiers. The adjacent space, illuminated by Oswaldo Borsans LT8 lamp enthrones a monumental table in maiolica tiles: a valuable original piece of nineteenth century furniture, decorated with representation of the seasons it can seat up to eight persons. In this salon, one can choose to dine by reservation, or indulge in tasting savouring dish that revisit the traditional flavours of Salento.

Located on the ground floor, which offers direct access to the Palace’s mediterranean garden, the Pilates Suite is the area dedicated to sports and wellness. In the spaces, designed by Giuliano Dell’Uva Architetti, ancient architecture co-exists and gives a nod to the contemporary. The stone co-exist admist the deep greens hues of the garden and with art and design: from works by Gianmaria Tosatti, to Day Beds by Osvaldo Borsani executed during the nineteen- fifties to lighting by Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The state-of-the-art pilates apparatus are copywrited Merrithew Stott pilates; as well as equipment for perfunctory maintenance training and a massage room with a C. O. D. E bed designed expressly for Palazzo Luce. Spa products are from Biologique Recherche. A certified Stott pilates personal trainer is available by appointment for private or partner instructions.

Palms, banana, cycas plants, an ancient melangolo, the scent of jasmine, creepers, and citrus trees: the Mediterranean garden of Palazzo Luce is a shady, secret oasis that faces onto – as you climb the steps – a surprisingly breath-taking view that gradually opens onto the Roman Theater. Lush greenery and Gio Ponti Casa & Giardino furnishings, invite the perfect place to pause, enjoy the panoramic view and discover artist Michele Guido’s onsite intervention in mixed media a fresco with ceramic inserts, that naturally inhabited the ancient arcades.

Its like a garden between rooftops – from the extraordinary terrace, spreads an incomparable view of Lecce. Bathed in a golden glow, in the colors and voices of the city and shaded by curtains that evoke Mediterranean splendour, it is alight with the colors of Pontian inspired ceramics, hand-painted by Francesco de Maio to a design by Dell’Uva Architetti. These are the same ones that in the pool, fade into varying shades of green, evoking the reflections of a natural body of water. Here, one can relax, have an aperitif at Ponti Cielo – a suspended lounge made from maiolica peebles, the same ones beloved by Ponti and reproduced exclusively for the Palace by De Maio – while waiting for the sunset, or dine when evening falls and the terrace is illuminated by iridescent neon, the work of the Joseph Kosuth, the masterful conceptual artist.

Luminous in a refined chromatic arrangement of greens constrased with the graphic effect of black and white, the Breakfast Room – on the main floor – overlooks the Mediterranean garden, from which access via a staircase opens directly onto an intimate terrace-veranda with original yellow majolica tiles. The tables with their characteristic wedge-shape and console designed by Martino Gamper and created expressly as is exclusive porcelain service made by Richard Ginori for Palazzo Luce. Breakfast menu is based on zero-mile products, fresh seasonal fruit, delicious Leccese pastries, yogurt, freshly squeezed natural fruit juices, eggs, cheeses and freshly baked typical local bread. The large fireplace made from majolica pebbles by De Maio, the historic manufacturer of Gio Ponti’s ceramics renders a special ambience to the room. Also by Ponti are the original furnishings; sofa and armchairs, designed for the Hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome in the 1960s.

Conceived and designed by Martino Gamper, for Palazzo Luce, the bar is truly a work of creativity, inspiration, design and craftsmanship in its totality. The interplay of pastel colors, contemporary textures, burnished mirrored surfaces, luminous reflections from the large chandelier a Palace period piece – and Bethan Laura Wood’s elegant inflorescence lights, creates a perfect environment whereby one can lounge, sipping cocktails, from late afternoon until midnight.

The Majolica Gallery is also an access way from the suites to the Breakfast Room taking a shortcut through the second reception area and other connecting Palace environments. The original early twentieth century yellow majolica tiles are the focal point in this space. Aflood in the golden, Mediterranean light that enters from lateral sides; the windows overlooking the courtyard, and from the terrace-veranda that looks onto the garden which also offers an spectacular view of the Roman Theater. Lush plants and Jos Zanine Caldas armchairs introduce yet another ideal place of quietude whereby one can simply enjoy.

A central junction to the many paths that cross Palazzo Luce, the principal living room shows off its treasures of art and design: from a desk designed by Gio Ponti for his daughter Lisa, a rare mirror in burnished brass and crystal by Ettore Sottsass for Santambrogio and De Berti, the large chandelier by Konstantin Grcic which tends toward industrial aesthetics, to the works of Vanessa Beecroft and the blue neon by Alfredo Jaar. Going. Descending a few steps to the larger, brighter living room – the perfect space to relax while having tea or coffee. Immersed in shades of blue: from the armchairs by Ico Parisi, to the minimalist design of the large rug, to the poignant beauty of the sea depicted in the large photograph of the monolith of Capri, through the lens of Francesco Jodice.