Corte Zuccaro

A Heart-Centered Remodel

This globally-inspired remodel in Nardò’s ancient city center is all heart. Redesigned with an emphasis on creating a peaceful outdoor living space, the home’s plant-filled central courtyard is sunk deeply within the old stone walls of the town’s pedestrian center, adjacent to an ancient convent where nuns lived cloistered for centuries. 

This villa for rent in Italy offers guests a surprisingly unique, secret-garden-styled getaway, especially given that the residence occupies a 16th-century building within a public plaza alive with cafes, benches, and an imposing central monument. 

Two years in the remaking, the home’s elegant Renaissance façade hides its modern renovation. With design inspiration from Morocco’s riads—oases of peace and beauty hidden within ancient walls—the owners have created an airy, refreshing space where the focus is living outdoors.

There are two bedrooms, one in the main building and the second in a separate unit, which is connected to the main house via the courtyard where the pool is located. Both bedrooms are vaulted and intimate, furnished thoughtfully with antique pieces and selected artworks with a distinctive vintage appeal, softened by breezy curtains. Polished concrete floors and smoothly plastered walls offer a soothing backdrop, and the bedrooms’ private bathrooms have modern vessel or poured concrete sinks and vanities, and deep, walk-in showers.

The townhome’s living area has a mid-century modern feeling to it, with intriguing, one-of-a-kind furnishings, sofas, and poufs. The galley-styled kitchen opens to the home’s courtyard heart and features modern appliances melded with cool antique conversions. Outdoors, a rectangular pool stands elevated and glowingly lit at the patio’s center, surrounded by plants and plenty of places to lounge.

Around

Located in the historical center of Nardò, this villa for rent in Italy is walking distance to the café-lined Piazza Salandra and is located in a primarily pedestrian neighborhood known for its tight maze of streets dotted with small plazas and many churches. The nearby beaches of Porto Selvaggio, Santa Caterina, and Santa Maria al Bagno are all about a 10-minute drive, and Nardò’s Torre Uluzzo is a favorite spot for a sunset swim.

Considered a gem of Italian Baroque architecture, Nardò is loved by those who prefer off-the-beaten path locales and traditional Italian village charms, plus ultra-easy beach access on two seashores. Set in Puglia’s Salento region, in Italy’s boot heel, Nardò feels remote and is favored by Italians seeking to avoid more touristed areas. Known for its unassuming lifestyle, clean waters, fishing hamlets, and Baroque era villages, the region also offers abundant vineyards, olive groves and nature reserves to explore. 

Nearby Grottoglie is a ceramics destination, and recreation opportunities include beach combing and sunbathing on the Adriatic and Ionian seas, cycling, fishing, kite-surfing and hiking. When it comes to the pleasures of the table, Nardò is known for its fresh fish, peppery olive oils, and healthy, locally-grown produce.

Location

Nardò, Puglia, Italy. Nearest airport: Brindisi

Best time to visit

May to October