Description
Located in a strategic position and with great housing potential suitable for various uses, the Masseria Farnese is a typical agricultural building located in the heart of Salento with a living area of about 1000 square meters and a park of about 5 hectares. a very ancient but well-preserved possession, belonging to the family of the Duke Guarini, feudal lords of Surano and Poggiardo since 1400.
The main building is in stone with well-preserved star and barrel vaults, its spacious rooms have majestic dimensions and well connected between external and internal spaces. The gardens of the Masseria are versatile and surrounded by a dry stone boundary wall while a part had a tiled roof which has now collapsed but can be redeveloped with ordinary interventions.
Still in operation until 1970, the Masseria had numerous head of livestock between sheep and cattle, since it can be seen from the numerous stables with stone mangers.
Called Masseria because historically given in concession to a "storekeeper" who held the usufruct with the condition of cultivating and making income a discreet plot of agricultural land with cattle breeding.
The residential part that starts from the room with the fireplace and the large oven, still in perfect condition, makes us understand that the Masseria was frequented not only by its inhabitants but by those who lived in the small farmhouses of the surroundings.
The park, with land of about 5000 sq m. that surround the Masseria are partly arable land and where wheat, barley and oats are still grown today. The rest of the land is classified as pasture, where the natural vegetation was exploited to graze the sheep.
The land on which the Masseria stands is typical of Salento and has the characteristic of having outcropping rock. This natural feature, rocky soils with little vegetation, served to keep environments dry and cool, also ideal for sheep's feet, which are very sensitive to humidity. In this way it was possible to exploit those marginal lands not suitable for the cultivation of olive trees and vineyards. Its East/West exposure favors an exceptional luminosity.
