A LUXURY HOTEL IN PUGLIA
CASTELLO DI UGENTO
A castle has towered over Ugento for over a thousand years, protecting the town and its people. As the visionary renovation work has peeled back layer upon layer of history, the roles it has played over the centuries, from Norman fort to elegant Baroque palazzo, have been revealed.
HISTORY
Conquered and colonised: a history of Puglia
Over the centuries numerous civilisations converged on Puglia to conquer and colonise the highly prized heel of Italy. Sitting at the crossroads of the eastern and western Mediterranean, it was important economically, politically and geographically.
The Messapians in the first millennium BC, then the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Swabians, Angevines, Aragonese and Venetians, all set their sights on Puglia and left their mark. It was also on the Crusaders’ route as they headed towards Palestine in the Middle Ages. Today the region’s rich architectural heritage is one of its main attractions.
The history of Castello di Ugento
Castello di Ugento is one of the most impressive castles in the Otranto area. On top of a hill, the castle dominated and protected the land and village lying in its shadow.
It was built on Messapian remains, and probably rebuilt during Roman times. The circular tower dates back to the Normans, who controlled the region from 1059 and was originally a motte and bailey construction. The distinctive mound and tower will be familiar to all those who’ve seen the Bayeux Tapestry in Normandy.
The castle was destroyed and rebuilt during times of war and extended and modified when peace fell. In 1643 Castello di Ugento was bought by the Marquis d’Amore, and has been in the d’Amore family ever since.
FOOD & WINE
Food and wine are key ingredients in Castello di Ugento’s new life. One wing of the renovated castle will house a luxury boutique hotel, due to open in May of 2018, while across the courtyard there will be a gourmet restaurant alongside the newly launched cookery school. The Puglia Culinary Centre, focusing on the region’s eno-gastronomy, welcomed students in January this year from the renowned Culinary Institute of America.
The hotel’s restaurant, Il Tempo Nuovo, with its unique historical setting, will specialise in Puglia’s cuisine. Local and seasonal are the cornerstones of the menus and House Chef Odette Fada is developing close relationships with the best producers and famers in the Salento region. Menus will change with the seasons – and with the local ingredients she finds on her trip to the market each day and what the local fishermen bring ashore.
ROOMS & SUITES
Castello di Ugento is a unique luxury boutique hotel in Puglia – a contemporary hideaway encased within golden 17th-century walls.
The rooms and suites have all been lovingly created with modern pieces from talented Italian designers alongside antiques and vintage finds as well as handmade Italian ‘noce Canaletto’ – high-quality walnut – armoires.
All rooms feature king-size beds and some can be twinned.
All rooms offer 21st-century comfort in 17th-century walls
Air-con with humidity control, Screens on all windows, Flat-screen Smart TV, Complimentary WiFi, Olive oil organic based toiletries, Fine Italian linen, Robes and slippers, Evening turn down service, Hair dryer, Safe, Mini-bar
