Description
The majestic Masseria "Sant'Alieni Grande" stands out with its 1800 square meters covered, and one hectare of land fenced with dry stone walls, in the wild countryside of Cavallino (Lecce) since the end of the 17th century.
Among the main features that make this historic building unique we find:
- the entire structure made of Lecce stone
- an ancient Hypogeum Oil Mill with its marvelous millstones for processing olives and star vaults
- stone walls 3 meters high that make the farm a real fortified village
- the large internal courtyard preceded by an elegant Lecce stone arch with its wrought iron gate
- the original stone flooring still well preserved in excellent condition
- large rooms characterized by beautiful star vaults typical of Salento architecture
- the manor house located on the first floor, characterized by frescoes, with large terraces overlooking the Mediterranean scrub and the vineyards of the surrounding countryside
- the renowned chapel "Madonna delle Thanks "still today characterized by ancient frescoes, which presumably housed the sepulcher belonging to San Eleno, Bishop of Lecce, martyred intor up to the year 75 AD with the beheading during the persecutions of Christians. It is not surprising that "Sant'Alieni Grande" appears in many prominent literary works of Salento culture still preserved in the provincial museum. These historical connotations, together with the good condition in which the stone is preserved, give significant value to the masseria, which in itself catches the eye thanks to the elegant Lecce stone walls, the ancient wells and the large rooms that compose it. The presence of the many rooms, some of which with a fireplace, is the testimony that in the past the farm was lived in by peasant families during the harvesting periods, as they preferred to stay in the farm instead of returning daily on foot to their homes in the village.
The potential of the structure is certainly very high, as it allows the realization of multiple winning projects, such as the transformation of the historic building into an exclusive luxury relais.
To give further value there is the articulation of the building on two floors and with very large rooms and the strategic location on an interpodal road that easily connects the countryside to cities and beautiful villages such as Lecce, Maglie and Cavallino.
