The earliest nucleus of Masseria Capece is a rural stone building made of local limestone blocks and red earth, originally used as a place of worship serving the surrounding lands. Just above the entrance architrave, a stone bears the date 1739, likely marking a restoration, although the structure itself appears to be even older.

Later additions include the buildings that became the beating heart of the Masseria and its agricultural production. On the central stone of the olive mill’s entrance arch is a lily-shaped coat of arms along with the construction date: 1846.

The Masseria was purchased at the end of the 18th century by Alessandro Amati of Cisternino from the Capece family of Naples. The estate completed the extension of the neighboring Masseria Gianecchia Grande, owned by the Amati family since the 1500s. Masseria Capece contributed a millenary olive grove, a large walled citrus garden measuring 50 × 50 meters, a state-of-the-art olive mill, workers’ lodgings, stables and shelters for livestock, storage buildings, wood-fired ovens, a central structure likely used as a small chapel, rainwater collection cisterns, a foggia (traditional water basin), and a large rectangular stone threshing floor.

The impressive olive mill, built in 1846 and in operation until the 1960s, still preserves its original features. It houses three types of presses: wooden presses known as mammarelle, cast-iron presses, and steel presses operated by a manual hydraulic pump. At the back stands a distinctive stone basin with three stone millstones, once powered by horse traction. The machinery remains so well preserved that it still bears the original manufacturer’s label.

Not far from the main complex, there is an area once used as a quarry for “filetto rosso” stone from Fasano, opened in the early 1900s and no longer active today.

The millenary olive grove, whose trees are said to have been planted by veterans of the Punic Wars more than 2,000 years ago, remains in its original planting layout, untouched by modification or densification. It extends over approximately 35 hectares across the municipalities of Cisternino and Fasano. Situated in a beautiful foothill setting, it is ideal for scenic walks and cycling excursions, offering exceptional views over the Plain of Olive Trees and the coastline. The predominant olive varieties are Ogliarola Salentina and Leccina, both producing excellent extra virgin olive oil.

The citrus grove features a remarkable variety of fruit trees: lemon, orange, vanilla orange, mandarin, grapefruit, citron, bergamot, Spanish lime, apricot, pear, cachi, cotogno,quince, rowan, loquat, mulberry, fig, and pomegranate. Behind the large citrus garden lies an almond grove, while magnificent prickly pears and carob trees are scattered along the dry-stone walls.

The Masseria was inherited by the De Carolis-Romito family, who have transformed it into a farmhouse. Their vision is to harmonize hospitality and event functions with traditional agricultural production, which remains at the core of the estate’s identity.

Today, the Masseria offers twelve apartments, eleven on the ground floor and one master apartment on the first floor. All feature beautiful stone star and barrel vault ceilings. The recent restoration sought to balance the needs of modern hospitality with the materials and functions of historic architecture, environmental sustainability, refined architectural simplicity, and a distinctive touch of contemporary elegance.

Masseria Capece is an agriturismo affiliated with the Regional Natural Park of Coastal Dunes.