MASSERIA: the ancient fortified farmhouse of the Salento


An important patrimony of Puglia in particular the Salento region are the many masserie of the area. You might encounter these along your country drives and all have distinct architectural elements. They are their own unique architectural type and served to keep people, animals and agricultural goods safe from marauding pirates, Turks or whomever was invading at the time. 

Lower Puglia was particularly vulnerable to these groups because being flat it was easy to move men and horses across the land there. There was also abundant fresh water.  These farmhouse  housed  entire families and some were like little cities.  A typical masseria had a large courtyard, small chapel and pigeon towers where guano was gathered as fertilizer.  We'll go over the unusual elements of these structures later....

Many of the masserie were abandoned in the late 19th and 20th century, but are now being slowly scooped up and restored for upscale spas or B&Bs. 

Masseria Brusca

Near Nardó, a fulling working farm with goat and sheep herds, cattle, vegetable and grain harvests. They have a small shop were you can buy their cheeses, fresh eggs and jams. 

Fortified Norman Tower

I'll be adding more of these: there are more than 40 in the Salento.

deserted Masseria

You will see a lot of these and I will be adding more.