Welcome to Masseria Petrarolo, a tastefully restored, nine-bedroomed farmhouse with two pools and multiple alfresco terraces with expansive sea views. Your home-away-from-home in the heart of Puglia, where you can all enjoy delicious farm-to-fork meals cooked by the Masseria’s in-house chef and even slip away to your own hammam! And that’s just the beginning: the farm estate is admirably off-grid, with renewable energy making this a year-round option as the main pool is heated too. And if nine bedrooms aren’t sufficient, Trullo Petrarolo – a second restoration project of two traditional conical houses or ‘trulli’ – is close by, plus there’s an Airstream tucked in to a field of wild flowers, just a few minutes’ by bicycle from the Masseria. Let us unpack this Puglian gem for you…
Once a stronghold against marauding Saracen raiders from North Africa, this historic fortified farmhouse with its noble towers has withstood many a battle since the 1600s. The chapel was built in 1689 and the bell, used as a warning of impending attack, still stands proud on the roof top of the main farmhouse. Named after financier Francesco Petrarolo, a noble who owned the farm in the 18th century, it was restored recently by local architects Musa & Simone who sensitively kept its architectural integrity. Masseria Petrarolo now stands proudly on the hillside as a discreetly luxurious nine-bedroom villa surrounded by aromatic Mediterranean gardens, vineyards, 50 hectares of olive groves and fields of lavender, all of which can be explored on walking paths.
The team worked with London-based Tully Filmer and well-known interior designers Alexander Waterworth to complete the ambitious project. Described as having the ‘perfect combination of opulent elegance and rustic wilderness’ it has no less than three modernised kitchens, generous living and dining areas, a wine room, orangery, hammam, two swimming pools and terraced gardens overlooking the rolling farmland beyond. Fresh produce is harvested daily for guests by the chef, with a walled agrumento or lemon and mandarin grove yielding winter and summer fruits. Historic features have been meticulously maintained, particularly the 17th-century chapel – for many, this may well be the catalyst for a very special celebration as the Trajan dining room, with its characterful beamed ceiling, seats 20 with ease.
The pool has one of the best views of the Adriatic and is perfect for multigenerational families with the shallows ideal for younger children and lanes for lengths, for guests who want to keep fit on holiday. Each of the nine bedrooms is now en suite, with underfloor heating and air conditioning for added comfort year-round. Our favourite is the romantic, vaulted Valentino suite situated on the ground floor and with double door access to the adjacent Gargano suite, and with a private entrance to the Hammam. Or perhaps Capella, on the first floor above the chapel with beautiful sea-facing views. Parents love Lapazaya suite, also sea-facing but near the pool. It has double-door access to the Lampascioni suite, within the Pool House, making it ideal for families. In fact, it’s very hard to choose – each one is unique, each one beautifully styled with quality linens to soften the grandeur of the vaulted ceilings and curved windows.
And while the kids play tennis on the astro-turf tennis court, the Turkish-inspired hammam provides absolute solace for anyone needing some me-time. Walks across wild-flower meadows are particularly beautiful in the early morning or late afternoon… you’ll discover the Airstream (a fun escape for two) along the way. Trullo Petrarolo (two bedrooms plus a loft), is next door to Masseria Petrarolo and ideal to book if you need more two to three more bedrooms. About 25 minutes’ drive away on the gentle slopes of the wine producing Valley of Canale di Pirro, you’ll find Masseria Pistola, the ‘sister’ property that was decorated by same interior designers and has 10 equally beautiful bedrooms. Family reunion, anyone?
What we love!
• Masseria Petrarolo has its own chef, concierge and housekeeping teams – such a treat!
• The Airstream is a fun addition for a stay here for a couple and two kids: it is 10-minutes from the Masseria, or you can borrow bikes and cycle down the track. It has its own private entrance, pool deck and an outdoor shower and bathroom facilities.
• It’s relatively close to beaches yet away from all the hustle and bustle: Monopoli beach is a mere 10-minute drive, but if you’re looking for busier beach clubs and lidos, it’s close to Capitolo and 25 minutes by car to the historic coastal hamlet of Savelletri further south.
• That all the characterful hilltop towns are nearby, including Ostuni, Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca. The historic city of Lecce is also not to be missed: start early and make a full day trip of it (it’s about 1.45-2 hour’s drive). Castellana Grotte are 20 minutes away and the world famous Alberobello are 30 mins by car (visit off peak, if you can).
• That wine lovers can discover award-winning vineyards in the scenic Valley of Canale di Pirro. Take a day to explore and enjoy tastings.
• Longer day trips include Matera in the west (1h20 by car) and Lecce further south (1h25 by car). Both are exceptional.
What you need to know ….
• Masseria Petrarolo is on the east coast of Puglia, set 6km inland among olive groves and surrounded by a Mediterranean garden with captivating views towards Polignano up north, and past Monopoli, towards Ostuni and Cisternino in the far south.
• It’s a 45-minute drive from Bari Airport (great for connecting from Rome or the rest of Europe, and can accommodate private jets) and just 55 minutes from Brindisi Airport by car.
• Needing private transfers? No problem, these can be booked, but it’s even easier to arrive by helicopter: there’s a landing pad on the estate.
• The Estate uses air-source, energy efficient heat pumps for hot water and pools but there is an additional charge for heating the pool.
Reviewed by Michelle Snaddon