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Since the 16th centuryThe history of the masseria
A fortified 16th-century farmhouse set in a 60-hectare protected nature park, with views of the sea between Torre Mozza and Torre Pali.
A watchtower for the bishop
Masseria Rottacapozza is a traditional rural building whose origins go back to the 16th century, when the land, part of the fief of Gemini, belonged to Antonio Minturno, Bishop of Ugento, as recorded in the valuation of the fief of Ugento in Luca Vecchione's Tavolario of 1767.
The bishop wanted a residence suited to keeping watch and defending against enemy raids from the sea. The masseria remained with the Diocese of Ugento until 1808, when the laws abolishing feudalism passed it to buyers and tenant farmers; in the 19th century it became the property of the Serafini family, handed down from father to son to the present owners.
A name born from a cave
In the 1745 land register (Catasto Onciario) the masseria was called «Grotta Capozza», a name that later became Rottacapozza. In its northern part a natural cave containing stone artefacts was discovered – today's wellness centre – where, in the distant past, an unusually large skull, perhaps of a prehistoric person, is said to have been found: hence «capozza», a big head.
On the ground floor were the storerooms for the produce of the estate and the large stables for horses, oxen and sheep, where the restaurant dining room is today. Around the threshing floor stood the workers' quarters; opposite the main gate, the home of the farm manager and the landowner, with stone star vaults and fireplaces, overlooked the whole coast.
History to live, 900 metres from the sea
Antica Masseria Rottacapozza is made up of a central building restored in keeping with Salento's rural architecture and a more recent wing. It lies in a 60-hectare protected nature park, among olive groves, flowering almond trees and vegetable gardens, in a spot with views of the sea between Torre Mozza and Torre Pali.
Today it has 46 rooms, the cave SPA, two swimming pools, the restaurant and a private beach club on the Ionian coast.
Enjoy the cave SPA with a package
SPA experiences for couples, days at the masseria, massages and stays with breakfast. Choose your package and send a request: the masseria will confirm availability.
All packages