The complex comprising the Church and Capuchin monastery in Tricase stands as one of the most significant examples of the Franciscan presence in the Salento region. It was founded in 1578 at the behest of the baronial families Pappacoda and Gallone, and construction was completed in 1588 under the guidance of Father Cherubino da Noci.

The convent is distinguished by an unusual feature: the presence of machicolations above doors and windows, elements typical of defensive structures, which give the building an austere, almost fortified character. This distinctive feature reflects the security requirements of the time, making the complex unique in its kind.

The church, dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua, features a simple and unadorned façade, in keeping with the Franciscan spirit. The only decorative element is a Baroque niche housing a statue of the Immaculate Conception; the date 1784 is engraved at its base, commemorating major renovation works.

The interior consists of a single rectangular nave, with two large side chapels on the right-hand side. The artistic heart of the building is the 16th-century wooden high altar, finely inlaid and surmounted by an altarpiece depicting Christ’s Encounter with Veronica on Calvary, attributed to Domenico Robusti, son of the famous Jacopo Tintoretto.

Flanking the altar are other works of great devotional value, including paintings of St Francis receiving the stigmata and of Blessed Felice da Cantalice, central figures in Franciscan spirituality.

Taken as a whole, the Capuchin complex in Tricase combines architectural simplicity, defensive features and a rich artistic heritage, offering an interesting insight into the religious and social history of the Salento region.