Lately, Puglia, a region of Southern Italy (“heel” of the boot), has become a popular destination loved by tourists from all over the world. People are not only crazy about its delicious food, but they love to stay in a typical construction called a masseria (plural “masserie”). Also, you might probably see the term masseria on the way if you are visiting the area from Bari to the south of the region. So what is a masseria?
A bit of history
The term “masseria” is typically Italian and is difficult to translate into English. When you think of a masseria you can think of a hacienda in Spain or a plantation in the United States. Essentially a masseria is a fortified farmhouse on an estate built around the 16th century. This large farm consists of a complex of buildings surrounded and protected by walls. These buildings included the dwelling house of the landowner, the houses of the peasants who worked the land, stables and warehouses for forage and crops. Often in the same house, the landowner lived on the first floor and the peasants lived on the ground floor. In Italy, the largest number of masserie are located in Puglia, Campania and in the hinterland of Sicily.
The evolution of the masseria today
Nowadays many masserie have been renovated and converted into farmhouses, b&b and boutique hotels, some simple and others luxurious. Thus, in addition to swimming pools, gardens, spas, cooking and yoga courses, some masserie boast many other top-class amenities. Keep in mind that staying in a masseria is not a cheap thing. In fact, a night with breakfast included in the masseria in medium season cost from €100 up to €1000. However, spending your holidays in a masseria surrounded by nature is a really pleasant experience to try at least once.
What a masseria offers
Staying in a masseria makes you feel like you are in a special place with a long history. Also, it offers you several opportunities to learn more about the culture, customs and flavors of Puglia. The masseria often organizes cooking classes, making pasta and cheese making. As well as showing guests how to make olive oil and wine. Furthermore, many masserie offer food with raw materials from their organic agriculture cooked with ancient recipes that are handed down from generation to generation. Have you ever heard of a wedding in a masseria? Maybe yes, in fact, every year many couples from all over the world choose one of the Apulian masserie as the perfect place for their wedding. We have been to some weddings in masserie. So we can guarantee you that you will live a dream experience surrounded by a unique and unforgettable atmosphere.
If you are interested don’t miss these other articles about Puglia:
- What to See and Do in Puglia – Travel Guide for Puglia
- What to Eat in Puglia – The Ultimate Food and Restaurants Guide
- Best Puglia Instagram Spots with Map
Also, are you planning a trip to Italy? Here a list of articles that may interest you:
- Travel Guide to Sardinia – Everything You Need to Know
- Ultimate 3 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary – What To Do & Where To Eat
- Top 10 Things To Do In The Dolomites Italy
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