Borgo Canonica Cisternino

Borgo Canonica is an invitation to go back to the past to live an authentic experience. Surrounded by the scents of the Mediterranean maquis and by the secular olive trees with their natural shapes, 42 trulli inherited from an ancient rural borgo from the 1800s will make our guest discover the slow rhythm of the rural life and the wonders of an archaic landscape characterized by the “pinnacoli” and the stone cones.

Borgo Canonica is the result of the restoration of a rural borgo from 1800s, situated in a 6 hectares area and almost entirely composed by trulli. Give a new life to this borgo, without affecting the integrity and the original beauty of the place, it has been the main purpose of all the people involved in this majestic restoration work.

The material used in the first phase of the restoration respect the historical identity of the Borgo and belong to the architectural Apulian tradition. The iron, with its hardness and its essential shape, is in contrast with the pure white of the trulli, creating the typical Apulian atmosphere.

The restoration project of Borgo Canonica is the result of the cooperation among Valcanonica SRL, the society that owns the Borgo, the architects Aldo Flore and Rosanna Venezia and from the Puglia region that financed the reconstruction project.

RELAX IN SUITE
The Borgo Canonica experience goes beyond the unique experience of sleeping in a Trullo in the earth of Apulia. The 42 trulli of the Borgo, 15 suites in total, are easily reachable by our electric machines.

Here, where every detail recalls an ancient ritual that made the history of the Borgo, you will experience an high natural comfort and design that remember the materials and the colours of the traditions.

DELUXE LAMIA
The only suite different from the others from the architectural point of view. It doesn’t have the classic cone , the typical shape of an Apulian trullo, but it has the shape of an arch that reminds of the natural vault of a cave and It takes the name from this peculiar characteristic.

SUITE
The suites, historical homes turned in wellness alcoves for the souls wee-being have a story to tell, hidden by the dry stones, all marked by the good scent of lime and aromatic herbs from the near gardens. let you senses guide you discovering Borgo Canonica.

A HIGH QUALITY CUISINE
Apulia is a region that gives us a lot. The fil rouge? The silence that we love to hear and a storic culinary tradition. Our food, expression of quality and ilaliannes, gives us the opportunity to experiment to renovate. And we do that always. We please our guests bringing only the best Italian quality on the table. Every day.

THE BAR
Apulia welcomes the travelers with that sense of hospitality typical of the South. It creates unique and magical moments in an environment perfect for relax like our bar by the pool. And it will be nice to enjoy the ray of light of the sunset tasting our dishes and enjoying fresh drinks every day.

It will be great to weak up and enjoy breakfast staying in contact with nature tasting croissants and homemade tarts. Apulian traditions that we love to share with our guests with genuineness and simplicity.

THE SWIMMING POOL
One of the most charming place of Borgo Canonica is the relax dedicated area in the exterior side where the exclusive 70 mq swimming pool is. Surrounded by the olive trees, the pool is in a central position, not far from the reception and the breakfast area.

BORGO CANONICA EXPERIENCES
Here begins a journey in search of authentic emotions: discover new adventures full of nature and sports, art, culture and our local food traditions that makes this land a very special place: the heart of Puglia.

LE BOMBETTE DI CARNE
In the territory of valle d’Itria and especially in Martina Franca, Cisternino,Llocorotondo and Alberobello, is possible to taste the typical “bombette”, meat rolls stuffed with cheese, salt, pepper, and once you bite them, they will astonish you.

Usually grill cooked or straight on the butchery flame, bombette and local bread are the perfect street food. You can try all the different kind of them, and the recipes are, of course, a secret.

EXTRAVIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Produced by family farms with strong traditions, the “green gold” of Apulia is renowned all over the world: many of them won several awards for the excellent production.local companies produce many different kinds of EVO oil (extravirgin olive oil), from different kinds of olives.

The oil is extracted from the best olives grown in perfect conditions. An intense yellow with green reflection, enriches every meal with an intense fragrance of fresh olives.

CAPOCOLLO FROM MARTINA FRANCA
The Cisternino oaks and the mild air are the main characters of a long story of taste. The bark of this tree is specifically used for the smoking process of this traditional product. The capocollo of martina franca , appreciated everywhere in italy and europe is the symbol of this story.

The specific part is between the head and the spinal column of the pork and it’s between 2,5 and 4 kg weight. The ingredients that makes this product so precious and tasty are : salt, pepper, herbs, local spices and cooked wine.

WALKING ON BORGO CANONICA ITINERARY
Thanks to the electric cars used in the territory, the air is even more pure and clean, just like it used to be years and years ago.

The nature lovers can take long walks where the scenarios deeply change from season to season and the typical fragrance of the altopiano, with many different shapes, changes into new flavours too. For those who love sports there are specific dedicated areas for reading and do some exercise surrounded by nature.

BY BOAT IN SEA CAVES
The conformation of the coast is full of caves and caverns filled with light and colours. The corrosive action of water, wind and the Karst phenomenon created a charming setting: the sea caves with its natural interest.

The boat trip allows you to appreciate the purity of one of the most renowned water of Italy. The most famous cave is undoubtedly the ”Grotta Palazzese Cave“, quoted by d’Alembert and Diderot and reproduced by famous engraver Jean Desprez in 1778.

THE “BLU DIPINTO DI BLU”
If a magical place where the blue is the bluest exists, that place is surely Polignano a Mare, near Bari; a magical borough where the sea is the protagonist. The city is in fact now famous for the Red Bull Cliff Diving, the show-event that hosts athletes from all over the world to dive at a 27 metres height.

The sea and sky colour have more connections with this coastal location, that receives the “Bandiera Blu” since 2008, a recognition that grants its visitors and inhabitants the water baths high quality and the services.

Walking on the Polignano seafront, you can meet the Domenico Modugno statue that smiles at his native city; a homage to the singer that reached the peak of his success thanks to the song “Volare”.

This is not all: the deep and charming blue of the Polignano a Mare sea is enjoyable also by boat, by passing through the famous marine caves.

THE WORLD’S BRIGHTEST ALABASTER
A Karst underground cavities complex, of high touristic interest, one of the beautiest and most spectacular in Italy.

The caves visit is spread on a 3 km route: an extraordinary guided excursion, at a 70 metres deep, in a stupefying scenario, where caves with fantastic names, canyons, deep abysses, fossils, stalactites, stalagmites, incredibly shaped and colourful concretions tickle children and adults’ fantasy.

The magnificence does not stop and each spot can seduce the mind and steal the gaze to end with the silent wonder of the last star: the beautiful cave of the underground system, the Grotta Bianca (the white cave), so defined for its rich and white alabaster, the “brightest in the world”.

THE POMONA GARDENS IN CISTERNINO
In the intersection between the white boroughs of Cisternino and Locorotondo and not too far from the Adriatic Sea, the botanical conservatory “I Giardini di Pomona” is located, where the biodiversity shines for its thousands and more varieties of ancient fruit plants from all over the world, many of which have been saved by extinction.

The conservatory’s ten hectares, maintained with an organic method, match the nature preservation and the low impact touristic welcome, in a particularly charming landscape context.

Many varieties of fruit trees compose a historical botanic walk with traditional and rare plants. The Ficus Carica has a prestigious dedicated collection that, with its 560 varieties, is one of the most important of the Mediterranean basin.

TORRE GUACETO NATURE RESERVE
The Nature Reserve of Torre Guaceto is an Apulian protected marine area, situated on the Adriatic coast of the high Salento (27 km from Brindisi); the reserve encloses a consistent diversity of habitats and landscapes on a moderately large surface.

Mediterranean patch, junipers, sand dunes, swamps with amphibia and migratory birds, golden beaches, a unique sea for its biological varieties. During the summer months, it is possible to visit the reserve with expert guides, nonetheless to benefit from the shuttle service to reach the pristine beach.

THE HISTORICAL CENTRE OF CISTERNINO
The historical centre of Cisternino is a great example of spontaneous architecture surrounded by nature that overlooks the beautiful valle d’Itria. Cisternino is one of the most beautiful borghi in Italy, full of alleys, stairs, arches and flowery balconies, all painted in white of course.

At the entrance of the borgo the “Torre Grande” (big tower) welcome the visitors. This defensive structure is 17 mt high , and at on the top of it the statue of San Nicola, the patron of the village.

Cisternino is one of the “slow cities”, a group of communities that works together to improve the lifestyle of their own inhabitants and visitors, sharing their knowledge about local food and wine trough the slow food network.

THE BEAUTY OF THE TRANI STONE
Trani, the pearl of the Adriatic, is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. The touristic harbour exalts the seafaring vocation since Federico II era, when the privileged position of the city helped the trade.

The city is famous also because of the Romanic Cathedral that overlooks the sea and the peculiar type of marble, the Trani Stone, very easy to manipulate, it has been used since the ancient times, for decorative and aesthetic purposes.

THE SECRETS OF CASTEL DEL MONTE
This majestic construction in the territory of Andria is one of the most mysterious in Italy. Known as a fortification, it really doesn’t have the features of a military construction and it has been built on top of a hill, not a strategic position at all.

Castel del Monte, a part of the Unesco heritage site 1996, commissioned by Federico II in the XIII century, it’s unique in the world and still a mistery.

However, what we know for sure is that its geometry is focused on number 8: the octagonal map resembles a square, symbol of the earth, and a circle, symbol of the endless sky; the courtyard walls are very high, and they symbolize a well, the medieval symbol of knowledge.

Visiting Castel del Monte gives you the opportunity to make an introspective journey that you can’t miss.

MATERA: THE CITY DIGGED IN THE ROCKS
The “Sassi” are the oldest part of Matera and represent one of the most ancient housing unit in the world, and also the first site of southern Italy to be included in the Unesco list.

Uunderground labyrinths, caves and a very unique landscape are the main characteristics of the two districts of Matera: sasso barisano and sasso caveoso.

The “Sassi” were the heart of the rural culture, but we can still appreciate the beauty of what life used to be here, especially at night, when the lights make Matera look as a nativity scene.

ALBEROBELLO : THE TOWN OF TRULLI
The Trulli have 400 years of incredible history. they were built as temporary houses to make sure they could be destroyed in case there was an inspection ordered by the king, who wasn’t aware about those constructions. Nowadays Alberobello is famous all over the world and heritage of unesco from 1996.

Walking trough the alleys of rione aia piccola, the most authentic area of the town, it will be like going back in time, while in Rione Monti is possible to visit souvenir shops and panoramic terraces on the trulli. farther, but easily reachable, is the “trullo sovrano”: behind the Santi Medici Cosma and Damiano Church,it is the best example of two-storey trullo.

VISITING OSTUNI: THE WHITE CITY
“Ostuni is the panoramic city par excellence, every house is a lovely view, every trattoria is part of the Bellavista, for each window there is a poet who overlooks at the underlying land where the olive trees change their colours with all the winds (…)

In Ostuni houses are white, of milk and lime, they are so white they hurt your gaze, candid are the walls, the windows, the doors, the stairs, everything is unrealistically white. (…)

In Ostuni people go to catch the meaning of shelter from the sun (…) to end desiring novels, to end thinking about far travels, here there is the charme of the cities of the South seas, here there is the equator at your fingertips”. (Ettore Della Giovanna, journalist)

Rooms: 42

Price: from 153 EUR per night

Source: www.borgocanonica.com