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Profile
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 Against the backdrop of a cobalt-blue sky and sea, the whitewashed Masseria San Domenico lies only 500 metres from the Adriatic coast in the Puglia region of Italy. The building itself dates to the 14th century, when it was used by the Knights of Malta as a watch tower. It was loving restored in the early 1990s and opened as a boutique-style hotel in 1996.
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 The centrepiece of the hotel is undoubtedly the magnificent irregular-shaped swimming pool encircled by rocks and plants, which stands amidst 100 hectares of olive groves and orchards. The pool is filled with naturally-filtered seawater, reflecting the philosophy of the hotel's brand new Thalassotherapy SPA. Recently hailed as "the new Tuscany", Puglia has played host to the Greeks, Romans Byzantines, Normans and Spanish over the centuries. As a result the area is rich in archaeological finds, castles, cathedrals and historic towns such as the beautiful town of Alberobello with its small, white-washed "Trulli" houses. |
 The hotel's main restaurant, the San Domenico Restaurant, with its arched vaults dating back to the 1700s, is renowned, both locally and internationally, for its exquisite food. The restaurant offers Puglian specialities complemented by a selection of fine, local wines. Guests can take breakfast in "Sala Fico" while "Pool Grill" serves a daily regional buffet lunch. As well as the outdoor swimming pool the hotel has a private beach, two tennis courts, sauna and steam bath. In July 2002, the hotel will open a 18-holes golf course "The Egnathia Golf Club" with all the holes overlooking the sea. The par 72 (6220 metres) course is designed by British architects of "The European Golf Design". |
 Of notable interest are the ruins and Museum of Egnathia. This ancient city, dating back to Roman times, was the last fort before Brindisi on the Appian Way. Also not to be missed is Martina Franca, a city renowned for its Baroque architecture or Polignano with houses clinging to steep cliffs or Ostuni referred to local as "The White City". Puglia boast extensive Roman remains including the impressive theatres of Lecce and Lucera and the celebrated Roman columns, which mark end of the Appian Way. There are many restaurants offering local cuisine including the best seafood dishes in the region, along with excellent wines.
History
In Puglia, the "masserie" were large agricultural centers for farming the land and preserving farm produces. There were various buildings used for the working of farm produce. One building was the house for the "massaro's" workers and was -occasionally- used by the owners as their residence.
The historical center of the Masseria San Domenico dates back to the XIV century and was used by the Knights of Malta, whose main center in Puglia was S. Stefano, as a watch tower against Saracens' attacks.
Around the historical center with its ancient slits and chimneys was born the Masseria San Domenico whose architectural structures developped around the beginning of the XX century according to the needs of the agricultural activities. Surrounded by 60 hectares of age-old olive trees and orchards, and keeping intact the original architectural structure, the Masseria San Domenico has been restored and converted into a refined hotel. The Masseria San Domenico has been in activity since 1996. |
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