Villa Tafuri

Galatone, Lecce, Puglia, Italy
A Fortified Watchtower Turns All Eyes Inside

Spare, antique and serene, this 15th-century watchtower has been reincarnated and refocused inwards instead of out to sea. The understated yet majestic former outpost, first transformed into a residence by 17th-century barons, now stands as a matte, minimalist sanctuary overlooking the Ionian Sea. 

The home consists of two units--the main house (with four double bedrooms and two bathrooms) and one independent outbuilding (with an ensuite double). Rates shown are for eight guests, but the entire property sleeps 10. There is an additional charge for more than eight guests.

Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent

A fortuitous bike ride led the future owners of this coastal watchtower past its weathered walls and wildly unrestrained garden in the rural countryside near historical Nardò. Plagued by disrepair, the abandoned structure was captivating, a remnant of nobler times, and they were instantly hooked.

Today the property’s iron gates open onto a soulful architectural collage, one part sturdy 15th-century watchtower, one part 17th-century baronial residence, and one part subtle, slow-living, modern masterpiece. Surrounded by olives, orchards and vineyards, it is flanked by a bleached pool terrace in a fruiting garden. Enlivened by gilded crests, well-worn limestone, and elegant patinaed doors that recount its “Once upon a time,” this sparely furnished villa for rent in Italy is splendorous yet serene.

Original architectural elements have been allowed to shine, unadorned by needless new ornamentation or updates. Vaulted cupolas, stony wall accents and gilded frescoes soar over clean-lined modern furnishings that subdue the structure’s grandeur with easy, organic modern styling. A monastic palette of bone to white tones dominates in most rooms, offset by pops of mustard yellow, turquoise, sage green or dove grey. The villa’s kitchen-dining room is a standout space, a cook’s kitchen with its original hearth, exposed stone walls, updated prep space, and curvaceous windowed double door that opens to an outdoor dining terrace. It's the heart of the house, and guests are invited to pick their own fruits and vegetables from the organic garden. Enjoy cooking classes, olive oil and wine tastings, as well as the services of a private chef, if needed.

Infused with nostalgia, the garden retains its wild, untamed atmosphere. Stony colonnades outline one pathway, a solitary palm reaches skyward, and outgrowths of opuntia topped by fuschia baubles hug the villa’s outer corners. The owners have replanted the property’s trees, vegetables and fruit orchards and added a scenic poolscape in the back garden, a vivid, enclosed spot in the ancient watchtower’s sturdy shadow.


AROUND

Located 10 minutes outside of historical Nardò, this villa for rent in Italy is set closest to the Baroque town of Galatone, and an easy drive from the sandy white stretches along the Ionian Sea. Galatone’s feudal estates peek out from olive groves that cover the hills around it, and the village’s massive fortifications are many, from its ornately sculpted ancient entry gates to its dominating Castello. The home is set in Puglia, Italy’s timeless boot heel, the region between the Adriatic and Ionian seas famed for its architecture (think trulli homes and stony masseria). 

Don't miss its fortified seafront villages, including nearby Baroque Galatina and Nardò, the latter with its notable “Cenate” district, where eclectic seafront villas can be visited with a guide, via pre-reservation at the villa. The villa can also assist with booking yoga sessions and cooking classes, local wine and olive oil tastings, and horse, bike or boat tours of the area. A private chef is available in-house, and the Salento region comes highly regarded for its delectable foods and earthy wines that combine this part of Italy’s abundant gifts of fertile land and adjacent seas.


LOCATION

Galatone, Puglia, Italy. Nearest airport: Brindisi (73km, approx. 60 mins)


BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to October

 
Please input your trip dates.
BACK TO PROPERTY OVERVIEW
Villa Tafuri
Galatone, Lecce, Puglia, Italy
Villa Tafuri
Galatone, Lecce, Puglia, Italy
Slideshow
Slideshow
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
Villa Tafuri - Galatone, Lecce, Italy | villas for rent, villas to rent | villas for rent, villas to rent
BACK TO PROPERTY OVERVIEW
Villa Tafuri
Galatone, Lecce, Puglia, Italy
Historical Splendor

Spare, antique and serene, this 15th-century watchtower has been reincarnated and refocused inwards instead of out to sea.

Read the story
Dates (Clear Dates)
Dates
2 guests
Check rates and availability
Select available accommodation below to continue
The Villa 5 Br 3 Ba Sleeps 10 Min 7 nights
from €857 /nt
{{calendar_data.name}}
  • M
  • T
  • W
  • T
  • F
  • S
  • S
  • {{data.day}}
     
    {{ data.price}}
Overview Small wooden house for children, barbecue, 4 hectares of land with organic soil.
TV Yes
Air Conditioning Independent
Heating Independent
Kitchen Fully equipped
Internet Free wifi
Washer Yes
Pool Private, outdoor, not heated
Indoor Fireplace Yes
Suitable for Events Yes
Bedrooms 5
Bed Type 4 doubles and 2 bathrooms in main house, 1 double and 1 bathroom in outbuilding
Kitchen Fully equipped
Bathrooms 3
Accommodates 10
Kid-Friendly Families welcome
Pet Friendly Maximum of two small, non-aggressive and quiet pets
Min. Stay 7 nights
Check-In 4:00-10:00PM
Check-Out 10:00AM
Tax €1.00 per person/per day
Sec. Deposit €0
Sec. Deposit Due No security deposit required
Cancellation Policy Firm
The guest will receive a refund if the booking is canceled at least 60 days before the time of check-in. If the guest cancels 30-60 days before the start of the stay, they will receive a 50% refund. If they cancel within 30 days of the start of the stay, no refund will be given. All refunds are subject to a credit card fee of up to 3.5%.
Covid-19 Policy
Only in the event the cancellation is a direct result of the pandemic (government orders the stoppage of vacation rentals or the authorities decide to restrict travel from the country of origin or to the country where the property is located), guests will be given the opportunity to receive full credit for their reservation if they rebook within one year. If the guest is unable to take the credit, the guest will receive a full refund if the booking is canceled at least 14 days before the arrival date. If the guest cancels 1 -14 days before the start of the stay they will receive a 50% refund. If they cancel within 24 hours of the stay, no refund will be given.
Notes The home consists of two units--the main house (with four double bedrooms and two bathrooms) and one independent outbuilding (with an ensuite double). Rates shown are for eight guests, but the entire property sleeps 10. There is an additional charge (€500 per week, as of 6/13/2023) for more than eight guests. Check-in is completed off site. Guests are given maps and recommended itineraries then guided to the villa by a member of staff. Included: final cleaning; cleaning and change of bath linen once a week (preferably Wednesday); city tax to be verified. Additional expenses to pay on site: weekly cleaning on request at €23 per hour; change of bed linens and towels equal to €20 per person; laundry on request equal to €2/kg. Garden and pool maintenance is provided twice a week. This property hosts events and photoshoots. Please inquire for details.

It is strictly forbidden to smoke inside the villa. Guests may not give access to the swimming pool to people who are not guests. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and lockable gates must be kept closed. According to the regional law of 15 December 2008, n. 35, considering the limited depth of the pool, there is no need of a lifeguard, so the whole responsibility is of the tenant. Diving is not permitted. Do not throw any waste materials such as tampons and diapers, or use environmentally harmful cleaning agents, in the toilet, bathtub, sink or drain. You will be responsible for any damage to household items. Pets must never be left unattended and are forbidden to climb on beds, sofas and armchairs. Damage caused by animals will be charged. Waste must be sorted into non-recyclable, glass, plastic, paper and organic. Access to the terrace is strictly forbidden as it is unprotected.

Request to book

Interior

The Villa
5 BR | 3 BA | SLEEPS 10
From €857 / nt - 7 nt min.
Available
from €857 /nt
Select check in date
Select check out date
Clear Dates
-
2
+
-
0
+
Clear
Apply
-
0
+
Clear
Apply

Guest reviews

{{ review.user[0].charAt(0) + review.user[1].charAt(0) }} {{ review.user[0] }} {{ review.user[1].charAt(0) }}.
{{ review.comments }}
Read all reviews
Location
Nearby properties