Villa Petrose was designed by the internationally renowned architect, Giuseppe Milizia, whose works can be seen from Cannes in France to Madison Avenue in New York. With Villa Petrose, he returned to his native Puglia to create a contemporary space based on the various elements of nature. The villa, the annex, and the Trullo can sleep up to a maximum of 17 people in six double bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom and walk-in shower. The stone foundations and central part of the villa date back to the 18th century when the building was still a traditional pagliara Salentina, a stone shelter with a thatched roof used by local peasants and their animals. The straw roofing was substituted with local Tufo stone vaulted ceilings and the resulting transformation is incredible. It manages to combine both beauty and aesthetics with its spectacular glass frosting and light, airy tones reminiscent of the surrounding sea and landscapes. Puglia is famous for its Trulli; the traditional, circular dwellings with a conical, stone roof. They have the exceedingly comfortable quality of being cool in the summer and snuggly warm in the winter. Villa Petrose makes a marvelous base for lovers of outstanding contemporary architecture who will appreciate the attention to detail in every aspect of this villa.  Villa Petrose is less than an hour’s drive from Brindisi international airport and 150 kilometers from Bari international airport. Manduria and its splendid wines is 10 km away, Ostuni is 50km away and Lecce less than 60km. The famous beaches of Punto Prosciuto and Porto Cesareo are only 20 km and 30 km from the villa.

Layout and Facilities  –  The property totals more than 12,500 m2 and the living area covers approximately 270 m2, so there is plenty of space for everyone. The reconstruction follows the original plans of the building and the immense, glass-fronted living room is the focal point of the villa with splendid views out over the beautifully gnarled olive trees, a pinewood and the rich, red soils of Maruggio. There is a myriad of delightful attention to detail; a pretty stone basin in one of the bedrooms, terracotta door frames, stylish floor tiles embellished with flourishes from the world-famous ceramicists in nearby Grottaglie and leather art-deco armchairs from Paris. The main house has three double bedrooms, each with a queen-size bed and en suite bathroom. One of the bedrooms has the possibility of an extra single bed if required. The pool house offers two double bedrooms with king-size beds and en suite bathrooms and both bedrooms are spacious enough to add a single bed if you need them. The Trullo house has a double bedroom with a queen-size bed, en suite bathroom, and a double sofa bed. The kitchen is fully equipped, spacious, and airy with large windows overlooking the gardens. All of the appliances are new and the table is fashioned from an old, oak tree trunk. There are a pantry/laundry room and an additional bathroom. The swimming pool area is fully furnished with sunbeds, deck chairs, and comfortable seats. The pool itself measures 12 m x 6 m and has a set of easy-access steps leading into it. The rocky gardens contain a wooden gazebo, a majolica-tiled ceramic table, a fully equipped outdoor cooking area, a meditation/yoga wooden platform, olive, almond and fig trees, and pine wood. There is an organic vegetable garden so feel free to help yourself to seasonal veg for scrumptious al fresco dinners! To work off those extra calories consumed, there is a fitness area on the roof with a multi-function bench.

Location  –  Puglia remains one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. This area south of Taranto is well worth exploring and contains some of Puglia’s finest beaches and azure waters. The ancient village of Maruggio itself was founded in the 900s and once housed the Knights Templar. It was then governed by the Knights of Malta for more than 500 years. Nearby Manduria has some of Puglia’s most prestigious vineyards, famous for the Primitivo di Manduria, a superior quality DOP wine which is guaranteed to capture your hearts and tastebuds. We would be delighted to organize wine-tasting tours and let’s not forget the gastronomic delights of the local olive oil! The nearest beach, Ayala, is only 3kms away and is a hidden gem with its fine white sand and emerald water. It is an uncontaminated, totally natural beach, reachable only on foot through the Mediterranean vegetation which protects it. It is considered by many to be one of the most captivating tracts of the Ionic coastline. Beautiful baroque Lecce has to be seen. It’s the perfect destination for wandering around little lanes and admiring the distinctive 17th-century architecture. It has a delightful historical center and an excavated Roman amphitheater. The fabled white city (Città Bianca) of Ostuni is a must on anyone’s destination list. It rises high on a plateau overlooking the sea and you can spend hours getting lost in the pretty lanes only to find yourself back at the cathedral at the top. The nearby coastline boasts pristine, sandy beaches.