Masseria Petrarolo
A farmhouse turned luxury vacation rental, Masseria Petrarolo in Puglia combines rustic warmth with elegance. Nine bedrooms in the villa and pool house are set in olive and citrus groves.
How would you describe Casa Salentina in a nutshell?
Casa Salentina is our private mansion in the heart of Nardò, a peaceful town in southern Puglia that still feels authentic and lived-in. The 17th-century house features soaring ceilings, original floors, and a quiet inner courtyard that feels like a secret garden. It’s not a hotel — it’s a place to slow down, enjoy good company, and experience the rhythm of local life. We designed it to feel timeless and personal, with just the right balance of comfort and character.
What is the story behind Casa Salentina? What inspired you to create it?
Casa Salentina began as a passion project. We fell in love with the building the moment we saw it — its faded elegance and quiet beauty immediately spoke to us. Though abandoned for years, its bones were intact: vaulted ceilings, old stone floors, and light streaming into the courtyard. We wanted to revive it without erasing its history. The inspiration was the house itself — and the idea of creating a home where guests could feel the soul of Puglia: unpolished, welcoming, and deeply rooted in tradition. Every detail, from the restoration to the way we host, is guided by that spirit.
How would you describe the atmosphere and interior design of Casa Salentina?
Casa Salentina has a peaceful, quietly refined atmosphere — the kind of place that encourages you to slow down and take in the details. The interior design reflects that mood: a personal mix of vintage finds, natural materials, and understated elegance. Many pieces were collected over the years, from original Danish design furniture to an ancient wooden table from a castle near Paris. We also restored antique stone sculptures discovered on-site. These elements are paired with local craftsmanship and custom-made pieces in linen, terracotta, and wood. Nothing feels overly polished — the goal was always to create a space with soul, where every object tells a story.
What makes Casa Salentina so special to you personally?
For us, Casa Salentina is about a feeling — a deep, quiet beauty that’s hard to explain. It’s not just the architecture or the design, although we care deeply about both. It’s the way the light moves across the stone floors, the silence in the early mornings, the warmth of the courtyard in the evening when candles are lit and time seems to slow.
Every corner of the house holds a story — the antique table from a castle near Paris, the stone sculptures we uncovered, the furniture we spent years collecting.
We didn’t create Casa Salentina as a business. We created it out of love — for the place, its history, and the idea of bringing it gently back to life. What touches us most is when guests say they felt at home or didn’t want to leave. That’s when we know the house is doing what it was meant to do.
What do you particularly love about this part of Italy?
We love the harmony between nature, history, and tradition. One moment you’re at a local festival or sipping aperitivo by the sea, the next you're exploring hidden grottos or ancient towns steeped in Baroque architecture.
You’re never far from either coast — Ionian or Adriatic — with crystal-clear waters, secluded coves, and unspoiled beaches. Places like Porto Cesareo, Santa Maria al Bagno, and Gallipoli are true gems.
Nature is everywhere — olive groves, vineyards, wild Mediterranean forest. Towns like Lecce, Otranto, and Nardò offer a journey through centuries of architecture, while the cuisine is a celebration of everything local and seasonal: burrata, fresh seafood, orecchiette, and olive oil-rich dishes that taste like home.
And finally, the people — warm, welcoming, and always ready for a chat. Life moves more slowly here, and you feel part of something.
