While walking in the Apulian countryside, among ancient olive groves and dry stone walls, you can come across some rural buildings in isolated areas. Those structures are called Masseria and they're very common in Apulia.

In this article, you will find all the information you need on Masseria farmhouses in Apulia, from their history to some fun facts.

What is a Masseria?

Masseria farmhouses are the best representation of the rural civilization connected to the Apulian territory. They are rural buildings that in the past were used as farms: basically, ancient farmhouses. Their name comes from the Latin word massa, which means "set of funds".

In the past, Apulia and more generally Southern Italy were based on the system of latifundium. According to it, there was a landlord who entrusted a piece of land to a Massaro (farmer). He had to nurture the land and provide the landlord with the harvest while keeping the necessary for himself and his family.

So, Masseria farmhouses have been built to let the farmer live and work at the same time and at the same place. In fact, they had just a few habitable rooms, and then it's all stables and storages.

The history of Masseria farmhouses in Apulia

Masserias have a very old history, whose origins can be traced to the time of Ancient Romans, even though the phenomenon was not that spread. But, structures destined to families who were working the land existed already at that time.

The development of Masseria as a phenomenon probably dates back to the Longobard time. They used to encourage shepherd gatherings, from which farmer gatherings in Masseria resulted.

During the Angevin period, the population of Taranto started to use the lands as they were their own while appealing to the common welfare.

Subsequently, in 1807, after a cadastral reform, the property of those lands was legitimized.

During the XIX century, Masserias started to develop further but, after the industrial revolution and the countryside abandonment, they were left uninhabited. Recently, thanks to a political and social effort, they've been turned into luxury accommodations for tourists.

The defensive function of Masserias in Apulia

Masserias also had a defensive function for its inhabitants. In fact, it's not rare to find walled enclosures and watchtowers.

In particular, the necessity of defense emerged after the Turk invasion in 1480. That's because the people coming to Apulia used to raid everything and kill everyone on their way.

After this episode, the population understood the importance of defense tools in the structure of the Masseria. For this reason, they started to acquire a circular shape, with a collection point at the center. It was always watched thanks to a watchtower, where defenders were also located during attacks.

The revaluation of Masserias

Over the years, the function of Masserias has been revalued. After the industrial revolution, which brought people from the countryside to the cities, Masserias have been abandoned and left in that status for years. Thanks to a targeted political and economic action, Masserias are nowadays luxury accommodation facilities that offer guests the highest standards of hospitality.

Already in 1700, external invasions started to be less frequent. People started using Masserias as summer residences in the countryside. Since then, the buildings started to be decorated, especially its balconies, courtyards, and internal rooms, with frescoes representing the family. In this period, the first gardens were implemented and not for cultivating the land.

Nowadays, Masserias, with their beautiful white stone walls and ancient olive trees surrounding them, have all the necessary for a special holiday. In their beautiful living rooms with tiled floors and vaulted ceilings, you can even find wi fi and air-conditioned, as well as beautiful furniture. Outside, it is very common to find a swimming pool and a beautiful garden with many Mediterranean plants and flowers.

Sleeping in a Masseria

Sleeping in a Masseria during your holiday in Apulia can be a unique experience. In this way, you can get in contact with the oldest part of this territory, which is always been linked to agriculture and nature. In fact, it is a structure surrounded by the Apulian countryside, among the olive trees of the Itria Valley and the blue Adriatic sea of Salento.

During your vacation in Apulia, you will taste also the delicious local products, such as orecchiette, olive oil, and burrata: better if you do it on a patio in a beautiful garden.

Discover our Masserias.