Masseria Dagilupi

A Former Oil Mill Reborn as a Sculptural B&B

Masserias, ancient fortified farmhouses surrounded in olive groves, represent the very soul of Puglia. This particular masseria was discovered in 2018 by a French couple, Danielle and Jean-Louis, who found themselves drawn irresistibly to the food and culture of the southern Italian region. With the help of Corsaro Architetti, the former oil mill, parts of which date back as far as 1600, was brought back to life with new purpose. In addition to its obvious design appeal, it's in a great location--just to the east of the famous white city of Ostuni, and just to the west of the Adriatic.

This vacation home rental in Italy has three separate suites:

Deluxe Room Limoni was once the entrance to the cave that housed the oil mill. Today it's a lovely space with a vaulted ceiling, overlooking the courtyard and an aromatic lemon tree.

Garden Suite Ulivo once housed a hatch into the mill, and the adjacent stables have been turned into a large open shower, bathroom and dressing room. It has a private terrace shaded by an olive tree.

Terrace Suite Ostuni on the first floor was a living room and store room in bygone days, and it retains the original niches for storing oil. It has a large terrace that overlooks the olive groves and Ostuni foothills, and a bathroom looking out over the Adriatic sea.

Experiences

There is a full program of yoga, massage, meditation, and healing that can be booked in advance--please inquire for further details.

Around

There is much to see in Puglia, the elegant heel in Italy’s boot. As the region has a long coastline, there are many beaches to explore, both sandy and rocky. Start with Torre Guaceto. And don’t miss the Grotte di Castellana, an extensive karst cave system that is one of Puglia's most popular attractions.

Located between the Itria Valley and High Salento, the white city of Ostuni is the ideal location for exploring the inland white towns and the ports of the Adriatic and Ionian coasts. Described by Lonely Planet as “a pearly white tiara,” Ostuni extends across three hills, with a cathedral centrepiece, and boasts a great selection of bars and restaurants. A little further away, Basilicata and Matera (European capital of culture for 2019) offer a drier landscape as well as wide sandy beaches.