Horm Stories #44
Today, we want to introduce you to the masserie of Puglia, an important testament to Italian rural architecture that uniquely blends history, design, and functionality. These ancient structures, dating back to the Middle Ages, were inhabited by the “massari,” farmers devoted to cultivating wheat, cereals, olives, and raising livestock.
The masserie expanded alongside the rise of sharecropping, an economic system that regulated land cultivation: the farmers, known as “massari,” worked the fields and raised livestock, sharing the harvest with the landowners in exchange for the right to live and operate within the structures without paying rent. This agricultural model enabled the economic and social development of the region for centuries, fostering the emergence of well-organized and self-sufficient rural communities.
Today, many of these structures have been transformed into luxurious private residences, agritourisms, and boutique hotels, preserving their historic and aesthetic character. The Masseria Don Cirillo, located in Ugento in the heart of the Salento region, exemplifies this blend of history and contemporary design. Nestled amid olive groves and Mediterranean scrub, it offers guests an unforgettable experience.
Strolling through the property’s park, encountering something special is never difficult: you can admire the scenery while seated on an elegant Ripples Outdoor bench by Horm, designed by Master Toyo Ito, or relax by the pool perched on a Hexagon stool, crafted by the renowned architect Steven Holl.
Once again, Horm furnishings have succeeded in harmoniously blending tradition and modernity, providing the guests of the masseria with the added value that only exclusive design can offer. Until next time.
