Get lost in the streets of Matino

Get lost in the winding streets of Matino and then find yourself in the fascinating Acqua di Puglia residences.

Our project was born in the heart of Matino, a small village in the lower Salento a few kilometers from Gallipoli. Within this ancient village we have already renovated 3 houses, all located in the main streets of the historic center, transforming them into refined holiday homes.

With this article I want to introduce you to this charming village on the slopes of a hill, whose origins date back to 1099 AD. The Matinese one, in fact, is one of the few historic centers in the province of Lecce to have preserved its characteristics: winding, sacred streets and alleys. newsstands on the buildings, courtyards still equipped with “piles” for washing clothes, large baroque palaces with cantilevered balconies. In the historic center we can admire the Palazzo Marchesale dei Del Tufo, which houses the Municipal Council and is also used for exhibitions, events, shows and cultural events.The urban layout of the ancient Matino responded well to precise social, cultural and defense needs; in fact, there are a series of courtyards, alleys and alleys apparently with no exit, where often, however, escape routes are hidden, sometimes imaginative. In particular, the court served as a meeting place and neighborhood relationship, defense system, wash house and water supply.

The real symbol of Matino is the slender and imposing ” Arco della Pietà “, a sort of “entrance” to the city. Built entirely of tuff, it has a quadrangular plan which, on one side, leans against the Church of the Pietà built around 1600.

Inside the winding streets of the historic center there are: “L’Immacolata”, “Casa Rosalia” and “Riad Salentino”, the first three houses designed by Acqua di Puglia. Below, the characteristics of each maison.

The Immaculate Conception: for lovers of history and authenticity

The Immaculate Conception is the perfect place to spend a dream vacation in a decidedly “rural-chic” context. Consisting of three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of which is ensuite, the property can accommodate up to 5 people, perfect for a family vacation or a romantic honeymoon. The property has numerous relaxation areas where you can read a book or simply take refuge from the summer heat. Among these is the underground room, carved out of ancient stone and dominated in the center by a soft white sofa.A small white swimming pool, suitably made up with local cacti and pumas typical of the Apulian artisan tradition, outline the southwest corner of the terraces, right near the walls of the church, explaining in the best possible way that the Sacred and Profane can still live harmoniously together.

Casa Rosalia: for lovers of tradition

A humble old mansion overlooking a typical staircase of Southern Italy, where the village people found themselves living everyday, is transformed into a modern and comfortable holiday home, where traditional and warm Lecce building materials meet minimal furnishings contemporary chic. The recovery of the rooms through a careful restoration, has allowed the structure to preserve the historical charm of this ancient residence. All bedrooms are dominated by charming star vaults and Lecce stone, leaving the structure with the intrinsic Salento character.

Salento riad: for lovers of the historic center

Enclosed by high and thick stone walls covered with white lime, a small orthal raised above an ancient cistern gives light to a sequence of old vaulted rooms which, all overlooking it, create a real Riad. The careful restoration operations have tried in every way to preserve the ancient charm of the original Apulian architecture, creating a suggestive holiday home. The heart of the house remains the small courtyard, completely paved with tumbled Leccese stone slabs where you can spend unforgettable dinners under the stars sitting at the large table.

The warm tones of the Lecce stone and the local carparo are continuously mixed with the white lime, spread on all the remaining walls, in order to create a very relaxing atmosphere. The carefully restored wooden windows have been painted blue, just like the sky of a typical southern morning . The choice of the classic blue color, typical of many Mediterranean countries, was suggested by the color found on the surfaces of the two nineteenth-century capitals of the entrance arch.

During the works, the careful cleaning and their restoration with a scalpel allowed this beautiful discovery: clearly visible to the naked eye, the bluish color was spread over the entire surface of the capitals, highlighting the shapes and rounded profiles of the same.

All the outdoor spaces have also remained intact, taking advantage of the succession of terraces ( once used exclusively for drying vegetables) to create comfortable relaxation areas where a small swimming pool stands out.

For our guests, when they want to enjoy a relaxing dinner without cooking, we recommend two particularly interesting restaurants in Matino, both with a terrace overlooking the town: Foscolo Ristorante and A locanda tù Marchese.

Foscolo is a restaurant, a cocktail bar, an art gallery, a challenge. It was born from the passion for beauty, art and food of Marta and Luca, who have decided to give their dreams a home.

 Not an Apulian restaurant, much less Salento, but a comfortable treasure trove of Italian cuisine with a nod to the classicism of the Alps.

A Locanda tù Marchese, on the other hand, is a typical inn, characterized by a very tasty and really appreciated Salento cuisine.

Credits
SILVIA BRAMBILLA
Tags: @acquadipuglia
www.acquadipuglia.com
Testo di: Silvia Brambilla