Masseria Malvindi

Why it’s on the Edit

Masseria Malvindi is a farmhouse and bed and breakfast in the rural area of ancient Mesagne, on the edge of the old Via Appia. In Roman times the road connected Rome with the port of Brindisi. The Regione Puglia register lists the property at five stars, without the luxury mark.

The land has history of its own. In the Middle Ages the area was crossed by the Limitone of the Greeks, the line between Byzantine territory in the south and the land held by the Lombards in the north. Near the farm you can still see part of the old drover’s track, paved with ancient chianche.

Excavations since 1986 brought to light a Roman bath complex of three rooms, partly paved with mosaics, and they document a Roman occupation from the first to the fourth century. A bridge of Roman times connects the farm to the main road.

The rooms

Malvindi has 15 rooms furnished with unique pieces of local artistic craftsmanship. Each has a king-size bed, a private bathroom with a shower and free toiletries, air conditioning, a minibar, a safe and a flat-screen television. Some have a terrace.

All accommodations look over the swimming pool and the Salento countryside. The official pages do not give room sizes or named categories, so ask for both.

The masseria lists a 24-hour reception and a bar.

Eating and drinking

Breakfast is the meal the masseria describes in detail. It is a daily buffet of km 0 products from the masseria’s gardens and from local artisans: several kinds of bread, butter and jams, cheese and cold cuts, eggs, fresh fruit, muesli, yogurt, juice, tea and coffee.

There is a bar for a drink. The official pages name no restaurant, so ask the masseria where guests dine in the evening.

The Apulian cooking class lasts about four hours with a tasting. You make homemade orecchiette and taralli, then sit down to eat orecchiette with brasciole ragout or a fresh tomato sauce for vegetarians, stuffed aubergine and dry pastries with homemade rosoli.

The setting

The masseria places itself in the ancient Messapian city of Mesagne, out in the countryside. The old town has the church of Sant’Anna, which dates to the seventeenth century.

Oria is the Messapian town to know. Italia.it says it has origins in the second millennium BC and grew to become the capital of Messapia. Frederick II’s castle there has a triangular plan, three towers and a very large parade ground, and the walled historic center keeps a medieval layout and noble palaces, among them Palazzo Martini Carissimo, seat of the Messapian Documentation Center.

The pool is the outdoor centerpiece. For weddings the masseria says the pool lights up at night, and the masseria says its characteristic string of lights makes a suggestive corner of Puglia.

The masseria calls itself a relaxing place close to the attractions of Salento, the historic center of Lecce and the Ionian beaches.

Good to know

• Reception is open 24 hours.
• An airport shuttle service is available for a fee.
• Weddings are hosted, with the pool lit at night. The wedding page lists a flower designer, transport to and from the airport and overnight stays for guests.
• The cooking class lasts about four hours.
• Pets, children’s facilities, opening months and room sizes are not confirmed here.
• Price band: 1 of 5 (estimated: no official rate found).

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Couples and small groups who want a countryside base with a pool and a good breakfast, who like history under their feet, and who are happy to drive to the sea, fit well. The cooking class suits those who want a half day of hands-on food.

For a spa, a restaurant on site or a beach close by, look elsewhere. Masseria Elysium near Mesagne has a guests-only spa and the Citrus restaurant. Masseria Vaccaro is a farm hotel with a pool near Brindisi.

Getting there

Masseria Malvindi is at km 8 of the SP74 near Mesagne, in the Brindisi and the Messapian towns area. The airport for this area is Brindisi, the port the Via Appia once linked to Rome.

You need a car, or the masseria’s paid airport shuttle. The sea and Lecce are separate trips from the farm.