Apulia, in Italian Puglia, is situated between the Adriatic and the Ionian Sea. This region reaches from the spur of the Italian boot up to the peek of the heel. It offers on the one hand an azure blue sea, white sandy beaches and the pure sun, on the other hand a multitude of cultural treasures. Many nations like Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs and Normans have also left their traces here. One of the most famous sovereigns was Friedrich the 2nd. So Apulia has a lot of castles, towers, cathedrals and archaeologic findings. In the Salento there are at least twenty castles.

To the holiday homes in Apulia

The Salento, the land of sun and sea, surely is one of the most famous regions in Apulia and is also named the Italian Greece. Still today the tradition, the places names and obviously the architecture (houses all in white) testify the Greek history. Further more there is a marvellous 150 km long coast between the two seas.

Characteristic for Apulia and unique in the world are the "Trulli", white round farmhouses with slate roofs. The "Trulli`s" capital, Alberobello, was declared a world cultural heritage.

In the hinterland you find almond- and olive trees, grain- and tobacco fields and winegrowing areas. Apulia is the granary of Italy and delivers most of the wheat which is necessary to manufacture the famous Pasta. Apulia is also the greatest olive oil producer of Italy. The spicy, fruit full and acidic oil is also exported into other European countries.

In this South Italian region the holidaymakers are offered amongst all the history and culture a mild climate, a crystal clear sea, white sandy beaches and a unique rocky coast. Furthermore a hospitable atmosphere which is achieved by the friendly mediterranean mentality of the people.

Province Foggia: Candela
here: Masseria Canestrello



Province Brindisi
here: Masseria Cappuccini



Province Brindisi: Cisternino
here: Trullo Noce



Province Taranto: Martina Franca
here: Trullo Motolese



Province Lecce: Gallipoli
here: Villa Monte Grappa

A Masseria is the Apulian form of an old manor. The rich landlords decorated the multi-storey main building with terraces, ornamental monumental outside staircases and frescoes. In the farmyard there were of course stables, accommodations for the workers and warehouses, too. Due to safety reasons all entrances were set in the inner courtyard, as well as all windows. A thick external wall was supposed to protect from attacks. Nowadays many Masserie have been tastefully restored in the old style and turned into a tourist accommodation.

The most typical construction form of Apulia is surely the Trullo. The circular construction from limestone is covered by a cylindrical roof, that is often crowned by a decorated spire. The small windowless buildings stand alone or form a group which makes them appear even more fairytale-like. In old times the Trullo saved from the dreaded house tax. Since the construction wasn’t considered a house, the tax was not collected. The cute little houses are fully or partly whitewashed or kept in the original gray colour. Everywhere in the Valle d’Itria, the valley of the Trulli, the spires of the Trulli peep through the olive groves.
There often are enigmatic symbols painted on the conical Trulli-roofs with whitewash-paint. They are of esoteric, magic, pagan or religious nature. Among the religious symbols the Cross for Christendom, the Magen David for Judaism and the Crescent for Islam are to be found.

A rectangular building on the countryside, mostly with a natural stone facade, is called Lamia. On the inside there is a surprising barrel vault made from trass. Thanks to its form the Lamia has a larger terrace than a Trullo, that was used for diverse purposes i.e. figs were dried there. The typical little staircase leading onto the terrace is attached to one of the two long sides of the house.