Essential Italy

This beautifully refurbished Masseria is a great addition for Essential Italy and we know it will be very popular. The original building dates back to 1300 and has been totally renovated with a huge amount of flair with a fabulous mix of antique and contemporary furnishings which gives a very special feel throughout the property.

The masseria is accessed by a driveway that leads to the front of the building which sits in an impressive five acres of land. The grounds are planted with an abundance of indigenous trees providing wonderful harvests of almonds, olives, walnuts, mulberries, figs and lemons to name but a few.

Entry is into a large hallway with a beautiful vaulted ceiling and an open fireplace. A spacious and comfortable sitting room is found immediately with a truly impressive double-height vaulted ceiling – they certainly knew how to do things properly back in the 14th century in Puglia! Sofas and a flat screen TV/DVD player are provided should you wish to relax in comfort – the walls of this old masseria are extremely thick offering cool during the soaring heat of the summer months and retaining warmth in the cooler months of autumn and winter. Throughout the building, the original stonewalls have been carefully exposed giving a wonderfully organic atmosphere.

Leading off the lounge you will find a large vaulted 'Cantina' – originally used as a store room but now a super open plan dining area and kitchen. The large table easily seats up to ten guests and the original stone floor will make you want to go home and redesign your kitchen immediately. There may well be some competition in food preparation here with the range style oven and hob, dishwasher and large fridge/freezer. A door at the rear of the dining room leads to a private and protected 'al-fresco' dining area where you may well spend quite a large part of your holiday languishing over sumptuous Italian fare and excellent local wine. For those of you looking for a culinary challenge, there is also a wood burning oven and barbeque where you may try your hand at bread making, pizzas, grilled meats and much more!

There are two stylish double bedrooms leading off the lounge, once again both with vaulted ceilings, plus en-suite shower-rooms. A stone-vaulted rear reception room plus a further bathroom with shower is located between another large bedroom with an en-suite bathroom boasting a fabulous double bathtub and circular shower.

On the first floor, and via some rather steep steps, there is a twin bedroom and access to the roof terrace – great for teenagers but not for young children or anyone who may have trouble climbing stairs. Please note that this staircase can be closed off should you prefer.

The glimmering pool sits in the grounds of the villa approximately 40 meters from the house along with sunbeds and an external shower – the perfect place to while away the day in the warm Pugliese sunshine.

The Grotto

Hidden in the extensive grounds of Villa San Michele, there is a large natural limestone grotto, which is an impressive 52 metres deep. Entrance into the Grotto from the garden is via one of two flights of steps leading down into the deliciously cool cave. There is some evidence that the cave has been occupied by humans since neolithic times and it is known that the cave was inhabited from the 7th century AD by Byzantine monks who had escaped persecution in Constantinople. This religious settlement remained here for several centuries.

Descending into the first part of the stalactite covered grotto is a large altar hewn out of the solid rock complete with a fresco of the Virgin, which studies have shown to be the oldest in the province of Brindisi, dating from the 8th century AD. Directly above the altar is a well-preserved fresco of Christ and another of San Michele, both of which date from the 11th century.

Locals say that tunnels lead from the grotto and run for several kilometres. During the 1800´s the land surrounding the house was a vineyard and during this time an important ancient Messapican vase was found, 30cm tall, which was transferred to the archaeological collection of the Museum of Berlin.

We are sure Villa San Michele, with it’s beautiful interior, extensive
Grounds and tempting pool, will prove very popular with our clients.

Please note During May and June the (discreet) owners sometimes occupy
the adjoining house. Should this occur, then a reduction in the normal rental
will apply. During these periods you will have exclusive use of the pool after 9am.