Location: Depressa Castello is located in the small town of Depressa, midway between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca. The house is approximately six kilometres from the Adriatic Sea.
House: The Castle of Depressa is a 15th century structure in the centre of the quaint village of Depressa. The charming apartment is situated on the ground floor of the Castle between its two courtyards. A high, antique, stone wall separates the property from the town, creating a tranquil space within. Through the large gates one enters the main courtyard of the property. The castle’s elegant arched stone façade is covered with bougainvillea. Old terracotta pots filled with plants line the stately stone stairs leading to the main entrance of the private apartments. An elegant stone column marks the centre of the courtyard and stone memorial plaques etched with rhymes honouring the family’s dogs (Poor Julia, very peculiar dog of Apulia) are posted on a courtyard wall. Guests can enjoy this outdoor area at the table and chairs.
One enters the apartment into a large room comprised of the equipped kitchen and dining/sitting area. The main courtyard is seen from one side, and the secondary courtyard from the other. A door off the dining area leads to a comfortable living room with a day bed. To one side of the living room is the double bedroom with French doors and a window overlooking the main courtyard; to the other side is a small bathroom/tub. The apartment is warmly decorated with local fabrics and handicrafts.
History: The structure was originally a small fort built in the 14th century to protect the townspeople of Depressa from invaders. In 1470 the fort was destroyed by the Turkish invasion. It then became a masseria (farm house) and, in 1870, an influential Neopolitan politician of English origin inherited the property when he married a local Italian princess. The couple transformed the building into a family home. Today the property is still in his family, with successive generations renovating it while maintaining its original charm.