This part of Italy, South of the extraordinary Barocco town of Lecce, is probably one of the most interesting/fast growing touristic destinations in Italy, with a number of internationally well-known celebrities (like Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren) who have bought their Italian home in this area.
Located at the very South East of Italy, in between two seas (the Adriatic Sea, which here is rocky, and the Ionian Sea, which here features exceptional sandy beaches), offers an incredible lifestyle experience, especially in the inland areas. There are numerous villages and small towns full of character with exceptional antique buildings and truly interesting historical centres. A solid simple gastronomic tradition, made of fish, local vegetables and home made pasta (and local wines), completes a truly special lifestyle experience, which is a really exciting experience for an Italian like me; I guess even stronger for somebody from aboard.
The Property featured in these exceptional images taken by the dear friend Sergio Contaldo (whom I thank) is an ex-tobacco manufacturer, a large Property located in the Comune of Alessano (province of Lecce, South Salento), near a village called Lucugnano, close to the historical towns of Specchia, Tricase, and Tricase Mare (and Alessano).
The buildings – within a private land of circa 59,000 square meters – are formed by:
- A main historical property (built at the end of the XIX Century, originally used for the transformation of the tobacco, a main industry in this area). This Property extends over two main floors, plus: a loft; 3 large patios; a large cellar. The ground floor is circa 5,000 square meters (circa 54,000 square feet) and the first floor circa 4,700 square meters (circa 51,000 square feet) for a total of circa 9.700 square meters (circa 105,000 square feet, in addition to cellars, lofts and patios);
- An industrial more recently built warehouse on the back of the historical building that extends for circa 7,400 square meters (circa 80,000 square feet), with 6 meters ceilings (20 feet high);
- Additional smaller buildings within the private land, for more than 1,000 square meters (circa 10,800 square feet).