Borgo Mater Domini: Beauty and timeless charm at the gates of Lecce

Borgo Mater Domini, located near Lecce, and just a few kilometers from the sea, stands as an emblem of a golden age, with roots going back to the mid-19th century, conceived by the fervent vision of Sebastiano Senior Apostolico Orsini Ducas. This man, who moved from Naples to Lecce, initiated the construction of a vast masseria complex in Arnesano, encompassing an estate of about 50 ha of land. Named "Mater Domini," in homage to the glorious feud of Nocera, it embodies the pinnacle of refined neoclassical taste, with a regular floor plan of fifty by ten meters. The facade of the villa stands proudly, adorned with a crenellated tower at the northwest corner, whose majesty is emphasized by the two heraldic coats of arms on each side, and a third on the entrance portal. Symbols of nobility and distinction, these emblems evoke the illustrious lineage of the Orsini. Nevertheless, the villa retains its aura of magnificence intact, waiting patiently for the moment when an enterprising soul will be able to restore it to its former glory. Over the past decades, the villa has undergone unfinished renovations. The entire complex, originally conceived as a self-sufficienthamlet, houseswarehouses, a winefactory, stables, a tobaccofactory, cottages for the settlers and townhouses. The latter, located at the rear of the estate, were intended for farmers. Today, from an entrepreneurial perspective, they could be converted into luxury residences and suites. The winery, embodies the pride of a centuries-oldtradition, while the tobacco factory attests to the variety of economic activities that animated the region. Quarries of calcarenitic stone are present on the property. Immersed in the beauty of the Salento landscapes and shrouded in the mystery of time, Borgo Mater Domini issus pended between past and future, waiting to be revived by those with the foresight and determination to restore it to its former grandeur.