The Surrounding Area
In the quiet of this evocative and inspiring land, you will feel the desire to explore its landscapes and nearby places of interest. Moreover, the perfect location of Masseria Capece, a historic residence set between the sea and the hills of Cisternino, allows you to reach many of the region’s most beautiful destinations within a short time.
The Masseria is located in the countryside of Cisternino, part of a wonderful area known as the “Valle d’Itria,” also referred to as the Murgia dei Trulli. It is technically a karst depression stretching between the municipalities of Cisternino, Locorotondo, and Martina Franca.The name Valle d’Itria derives from the cult of the Madonna Odigitria (“She Who Shows the Way”), a legacy of the Byzantine monks who settled in the area during the Middle Ages.
This area is characterized by the green of centuries-old olive trees, the white of trulli and dry-stone walls, and the distinctive red hue of the earth. The Valle d’Itria seems almost to recall its belonging to the Italy of art, hospitality, and tradition, while also reflecting the enduring influence of Byzantine culture, which lends this land an esoteric charm and a timeless magic.
Masseria Capece is located just 9 km from the town of Cisternino, listed among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages, the dazzling kasbah of the Valle d’Itria. About 16 km away lies the White City of Ostuni, where breathtaking views and the enchanting Co-Cathedral await visitors.At a distance of 15 km is the town of Locorotondo, with its swirl of white cummerse clustered around the Mother Church, also included among Italy’s Most Beautiful Villages. And then there is Alberobello, with its authentic trulli, one of the 51 Italian sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
There are many beautiful towns waiting to be discovered: Martina Franca, Fasano, Monopoli, Polignano a Mare, all the way to Lecce, Otranto, Bari, Trani, and Matera.
Sea and Beaches
The nearest seaside destination is Torre Canne, known for its sandy beaches and numerous beach clubs, including a fully equipped pet-friendly beach designed to welcome dogs with every comfort.If you prefer rocky coves, head north toward Savelletri, where you can also rent inflatable boats or book scuba diving experiences with a local diving center.Continuing north, you will reach Monopoli, with its many beaches and charming hidden coves, as well as the enchanting Castle of Santo Stefano.Following the coastal road further, you arrive at the beautiful Polignano a Mare, the famous fishing village home to Cala Porto beach, one of the most photographed spots in Puglia.And how could one fail to mention the turquoise sea washing over the white beaches of the Torre Guaceto Marine Nature Reserve, located just 38 km from the Masseria and considered one of the most stunning stretches of coastline in Puglia?
Regional Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes
The territory of the Regional Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes, stretching from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo, is home to a variety of ecosystems balanced in a delicate harmony: from the sea to the sandy dunes, from the back-dune wetlands to the fossil dunes and the monumental olive groves inland.It is a true celebration of color, from the deep blue of the sea to the green of Mediterranean scrub, the red of the earth, and the white of houses washed with lime.
In addition to its rich variety of flora and fauna, the area also preserves a remarkable number of sites of historical and archaeological interest: among them a Neolithic dolmen, rural churches with over a thousand years of history, historic farmhouses dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries, underground olive mills, and other rock settlements such as crypts, dwellings, stables, and jazzi, carved into caves that open along the sides of the lame—shallow ravines that stretch toward the sea.
Many of these sites have been connected to form a historical and archaeological itinerary, as the protected natural area is crossed by the ancient route of the Via Traiana, dating back to the 2nd century AD. The road runs through the territories of Fasano and Ostuni before reaching the port of Brindisi.
Lame
Rock settlements are a significant example of that distinctive way of living known as “dwelling in caves,” which began in the 11th century AD and continued until the 14th–15th centuries. This practice developed alongside the construction of casali built sub divo—in the open air—and represents a true peculiarity of our territory.
The walls of the lame, formed of soft tuff stone, made it possible to carve entire villages, with caves used as dwellings and animal shelters, spaces dedicated to agricultural activities, olive mills, and beautiful crypts adorned with Byzantine frescoes.
Fra gli insediamenti più importanti a Fasano dobbiamo citare quello di Lama d’Antico, San Giovanni e San Lorenzo.
Egnazia Archaeological Park
The territory of the Regional Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes, stretching from Torre Canne to Torre San Leonardo, is home to a variety of ecosystems balanced in a delicate harmony: from the sea to the sandy dunes, from the back-dune wetlands to the fossil dunes and the monumental olive groves inland.It is a true celebration of color, from the deep blue of the sea to the green of Mediterranean scrub, the red of the earth, and the white of houses washed with lime.
In addition to its rich variety of flora and fauna, the area also preserves a remarkable number of sites of historical and archaeological interest: among them a Neolithic dolmen, rural churches with over a thousand years of history, historic farmhouses dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries, underground olive mills, and other rock settlements such as crypts, dwellings, stables, and jazzi, carved into caves that open along the sides of the lame—shallow ravines that stretch toward the sea.
Many of these sites have been connected to form a historical and archaeological itinerary, as the protected natural area is crossed by the ancient route of the Via Traiana, dating back to the 2nd century AD. The road runs through the territories of Fasano and Ostuni before reaching the port of Brindisi.
Masserie
With their unmistakable presence and imposing forms, often whitewashed in lime against the ever-changing green of the olive groves, the Masserie are a heritage of inestimable cultural value.
Rural settlements (castra and casali), even in uncultivated areas, were certainly encouraged by the Normans who, in strengthening the defensive system of their territories, established a network of fortifications.
They were joined by religious orders which, during the same period, became feudal lords controlling vast territories, providing rural communities not only with spiritual guidance but also with the organization and management of agricultural activities.
To explain the rise of the masserie, we must also mention the royal estates and the phenomenon of transhumance. With the establishment of the Dogana delle Pecore (Royal Sheep Customs) in Foggia in the 1500s, a distinction emerged between “sheep masserie,” connected to the seasonal movement of flocks and therefore characterized by buildings used as animal shelters and for dairy production, and “field masserie,” defined by agricultural activities, particularly in our area by the cultivation of olive trees, almond trees, and carob trees.
Cycling Tours
There are wonderful cycling routes scattered throughout the area, and the starting point is the Albergabici, located in the hamlet of Montalbano, between the municipalities of Ostuni and Fasano, in the heart of the Regional Natural Park of the Coastal Dunes.
From here, you begin pedaling along the route of the ancient Via Traiana, traveling back in time as far as prehistory with a visit to the Dolmen. Majestic centuries-old olive trees will guide you to the back-dune wetlands of the Morelli River, just behind the long sandy beach that stretches from Torre Canne to the imposing watchtower of San Leonardo.
But the bicycle is not the only way to explore the area. You can admire every corner of our territory on horseback, thanks to the Parco di Mare riding center, or, in the spirit of sustainable travel, aboard single-seat electric vehicles available for rental from Forplay.
The staff of Masseria Capece will be delighted to suggest itineraries to help you discover places, flavors, and hidden gems that will make your stay truly unforgettable.
