Torre Punta Campanella

A 16th Century Watchtower In The Land Of Homer's Odyssey

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic stretches of shoreline in Italy, and this 16th-century watchtower commands a magnificent spot above the sea. Standing against the forces of long-ago invaders in the land of Homer's Odyssey, this unique villa for rent in Italy has been restored with a fusion of rustic, southern Italian and Scandinavian-inspired design. 

Located on the Amalfi Coast at Punta Campanella, between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, this villa for rent in Italy is a great destination for adventurous design lovers. It's of great historical interest, off the beaten track (15 minutes by car from Termini), and overlooks the Mediterranean, with extraordinary views of the island of Capri.

One of many fortified towers constructed along the promontory, it was placed to communicate directly with the main tower at the point that was the site of the mythical Sirens in Homer's Odyssey. Surrounded by over 500 hectares of national parkland, olive, and fruit groves, it's one of several historic buildings on the property that have been transformed into simple but stylish guest accommodations.Part of a portfolio of properties designed by Naples-based Norwegian architect Kristine Standnes, it is a successful mix of Italian history, design and culture, with a Scandinavian concept and aesthetic.

Although the tower's unique configuration poses a challenge in how to interpret the space - with its vertical layout and earthbound materials - the structure is cool, relaxed and unpretentious. Stripped to the bare essentials, the intricate stonework and tile are the ideal backdrop for cool vintage pieces and decor.

The ground-floor living area comes complete with a fireplace, dining space and a simple kitchen, as well as a small mezzanine bedroom (with space for a king-size bed only). Up one level is a second living room and bath with the master bedroom above that opens out to the massive platform terrace.

The adjacent Annex (a former olive oil mill) is a few minutes walk from the tower. It has a ground-floor kitchen, living room and bath connected by an outside stair to two en-suite double bedrooms with a panoramic terrace. Both homes incorporate several outside dining spaces in a park-like setting.

Throughout the year, the owners host an artist-in-residency program focused around the fields of architecture, design, craftsmanship, hospitality and food, designed to inspire intellectual and cultural curiosity and provide a sanctuary where creativity can thrive in nature. 

AMALFI'S LEGENDS & STUNNING BEAUTY

Cited as an example of outstanding Mediterranean heritage, the Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO site of legendary natural beauty and glittering coastal towns. Clinging to the dramatic vertical cliffs and backed by lush forests, the famous Positano and Amalfi draw society's elite and gawkers alike to partake in the glamor, excellent culinary scene and stunning scenery. The nearby mountaintop town of Ravello has loads of old world charm with grand villas and gardens dotting the hillsides and in the summer months, the famed Ravello Arts Festival.

The resort town of Sorrento perched above the Bay of Naples is the gateway to the Amalfi coast and is a good jumping-off point for exploring  the vast archeological sites of Pompeii and the surrounding countryside. Home to mythical legends and ancient archeological history, Punta Campanella on the Sorrentine Peninsula along the Gulf of Naples is the land's endpoint, and it was here, in Homer's epic, that Ulysses met the Sirens and the Greeks later built a temple in honor of Athens. The original 14th-century watchtower on the headland still stands today and is within a short drive from the property. The promontory can be reached from the small square of Termini which is a 10-15 minute drive from the house. And, just three nautical miles off shore, is the island of Capri.

LOCATION 

Amalfi Coast, Italy. Nearest Airport: Naples (65km)

 

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May through September