Masseria Auraterrae, in Puglia in the ancient hermitage with Polignano Vista

The first feeling that you make room in the chest while traveling by car the pavement that leads to the entrance of the Masseria auraterrae It is a deep quiet. Then, while walking through the internal streets of this Puglia 5 -star resort Open to the public two years ago, the amazement is added to the inner peace: it is as if the spaces of the Masseria – Abbarbicata on a esplanade with Polignano view, far from traffic and tourists – they replicated as if by magic, giving every corner new environments and new details. It is the format of the so -called widespread village: a reception structure is distributed horizontally instead of vertically, to integrate better with the territory that hosts it and give the guest a family atmosphere.

Sometimes the reconstruction of the genius loci It proves to be artifact and ruffian. But Auraterrae – today owned by the Valentini family of Locorotondowhich restored it also thanks to the support of the Community funds – Borgo was truly: on the time stone of a small arc not far from the lemonade, the writing in Latin “shelter for the friend and for the poor” appears. The meaning is clear: this complex – which arose around 1600 around a fortified tower used by the ancient Apulians to defend itself from the incursions of Turks and Macedonians – was one Citadel inhabited by peasant monks who welcomed wayfarers and pilgrims. The borghetto was then transformed into a terrier possession inhabited by Massari del local. In more recent times, with the depopulation of the countryside, the structure was finally abandoned.

If we were in another region of Italy, perhaps today Auraterrae would still be a ruin. However, we are in Puglia, not far from the Itria Valleyin a historical moment of creative fervor that is helping to restore old farms scattered throughout the territory. The danger of this Revival Agro-Chicit was said, it is mannerism. If you exceed with white and lime, you risk mimicking the Greek spontaneous architecture. If luxury is too ostentatious, there is the Dubai effect. The conservative recovery of Auraterrae – Entrusted to the designer of the Hospitality, landscape and Puglia wine -growing player Bepi Povia – fortunately remained faithful to the history of this place and to Apulian colormade of earthy shades and strong but authentic contrasts.

Masseria Auraterrae: a weekend in the Hotel-Borgo with Polignano Vista

The central body and its wings, all in local limestone stone, welcome the rooms and suite of the guests, the restaurant, the Limonaia and the Masseria church. A road network delimited by dry walls leads to the surrounding spaces: 24 hectares of land on which they arise The biodynamic vegetable garden where trees of apricot trees, peaches, prickly pears and carrots of Polignano used in the kitchen were planted; thecitrus grove of peacea Pezzullo di land used in the past for prayer, now used as an open-air temple for Yoga lessons And Wine tastings; The Garden of the senses Where, as at the time of farmers, thyme bushes, rosemary hedges and thyme cushions grow. Then there are the forest – the house of the domestic domestic Roberto – the cloister of the olive trees and the vineyards of Underflower and Minutolo, who pierce Rossi and white natives and the restaurant of the Masseria, open to both guests and outside.

Around the two swimming pools (in the photo, the one with a restaurant terrace view), officinal plants were planted.

The heart of the farm, especially in summer, is represented by his Two touched pools. The one in the south-west gives a royal view of Polignano. The other, more intimate and protected by the elements, is the refuge of election in the counter -summera small oasis where you can spend long afternoons lying on the beds, waiting for a centrifuged or an espresso, reading a good book.

The rooms and suites

The 22 rooms of the farm, all different, were the places where the lives of the people who lived in the monastery first took place, the agricultural community then. In the Limonaia – a small colonnade courtyard that recalls the charm of the English rock chives – the spaces used to host the cistern, the palm, the ancient oven and the feeders have become signature of 28 square meters. The dairy and the woods host the Spa deluxe VIE VIGNETO accommodation. The former sheepfish have been used as a Pool Garden rooms, with private garden and whirlpool tub. Finally the top of the range: the Suite Massaroalready a pigeon, with Turkish bath and private terrace and the master suite36 square meters home with panoramic terrace.

The floors of the rooms are in terracotta or cementina. The boiserie, where present, is in light natural wood. The walls of the bathrooms are covered in resin, which unlike the common tiles returns a more minimal and material effect.

The restaurant

Just as for the feeders, identifiable thanks to the presence of some stones with ring where animals were linked, also to identify the monastic refectory was based on some details – such as the presence of naves in one of the central body rooms – survived the previous lives of the farm. Also thanks to the contribution of Masters of Putignanowho made papier -mâché chandeliers from the material effect, the place of prayer and refreshment of the monks has returned to life and hosts today Auraterrae restaurant.

The interiors of the restaurant. The walls are of Apulian stone, the papier -mâché chandeliers.

In the morning – in the summer we sit out around small wrought iron tables – you do breakfast with centrifuged carrots and celery and freshly baked cakes. TO lunch They tasting taglieri of capocollo and caciocavallo, tubettons with mussels and bombs in the stove with ash potatoes. In the evening the proposals of chef Antonio Gentile doubled: you can opt between a traditional menu – the highlights: the orecchiette with black chickpea flour and the fries of fish of the Adriatic – and an innovation card, supported by first solids such as bronze -drawn fusillons with summer pumpkin, licorice, nduja, buffalo, crumble and almonds and more creative seconds, including the black pig plumb with herb. turnip, goat and charin.

One of the internal glimpses of the farm.

The experiences

Auraterrae offers ad hoc packages For the guests of the Masseria. For the Foodies there are experiences of tastings of artisan wines inspired by the chakras and the discovery of the secrets of the breeding of dairy animals, with a final tasting of mozzarella. An e-bike tour was designed for the sportiest in the Conversano area. Those who have never been to these areas can book the classic package that includes tours of Alberobello, Monopoli and Polignano: a drop in the Puglia more beautiful and crowdedbefore returning to the hinterland and regain the peace of the senses.