This fascinating fortified stone “masseria”, once
belonging to the ancient noble family “De Luce” from which it takes
its name, goes back to the 16th c. , period of the Spanish
domination in Italy.
In fact, the Spanish influence can be clearly seen in some
architectural features such as the so-called Spanish stairway, the
fortification and the arch. The masseria was first erected as a
defence against the raids of the Turkish-Saracen pirates coming from
the sea and the local bandits.
At that time the alarm given by tall bell-tower above the arch used
to warm the other surrounding masserias against the arrival of the
enemy ships and reached the coastline garrisons of the Abbey of
Santo Stefano and the Castle of Charles V in Monopoli.
Its defence system is witnessed by the architectural structure
itself which is a tower-masseria, by the drawbridge (replaced in the
18th c. by a stone arch which connects the stairway to the first
floor), by the fortification, by the machicolations or trap-doors
set above each window from which boiling oil or bullets were sent
against the attackers and by the lovely merlon decorating part of
the stairway.
The whole structure is surrounded by a tall wall-fortification while
the main entrance features a sober round arch through which you
enter the courtyard. Inside you can admire the residential area and
other sites such as the hypogeum (once employed as an oil press),
the old stone mangers and the private family chapel dating back to
the early Baroque and Neo-classical periods, and devoted to Santa
Lucia and San Vito.
Meticulously restored in respect of its innate nature, Masseria Luce
now offers an ideal holiday of relax, culture, enjoyment and good
traditional Puglian cooking.
Ideal is also its keen location sandwiched between the fabulous
Valle d’Itria and the magical trullis of Alberobello and grottoes of
Castellana, just minutes from the golden sandy beaches and blue sea
of Capitolo.
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