Modern villa with swimming pool surrounded by nature

Poggiardo: Location and surroundings of this property

Poggiardo is located in south-eastern Salento just 8 km from the coasts of Castro Marina and Santa Cesarea Terme, and even the more famous Otranto is easily reached in a few minutes. Its origins are shrouded in legend. In fact, it is said that Poggiardo was born thanks to the survivors of three hamlets who entrusted the choice of the place where they would found the new village to an ox, which stopped to graze right where the town stands today. The place name, in fact, is said to derive from ‘Podium Arduum’, or Poggio Arduo, a clear reference to Poggiardo's forest, to testify its flourishing nature, which is still confirmed today in the Marirossi pine forest, which takes its name from the colour of the soil due to the strong presence of bauxite, and in the Marulli grove, a green lung on the edge of the village. The municipality of Poggiardo includes the hamlet of Vaste, the ancient Bastae, a Messapian centre of considerable importance. Its city walls tell of an antiquity that dates back to the 3rd century B.C. In fact, the Baronial Palace now houses an archaeological museum where it is possible to find artefacts dating back to the Messapian period, discovered in the archaeological excavation area of ancient Bastae, while the S. Maria degli Angeli crypt, located in the municipal villa, preserves the frescoes found in the ancient Santi Stefani crypt. Strolling through the streets of Poggiardo and Vaste, you can enjoy the fascinating atmosphere in the narrow streets of the old town centre that still preserve the old paving stones and the splendid view of palaces and historical buildings such as the Guarini castle, Villa Episcopo and the baroque churches of Poggiardo and Vaste, bearing witness to the long life of these two towns that share an indissoluble bond.