Masseria Santa Lucia Matera

From an abandoned semi-rupestrian, rural building, destined to disappear, to a rural chic farmhouse. Already known in the past as the Zinzicarl residence, originally of the Sinisgalli di Montemurro family, the Masseria Santa Lucia is a place of great historic and architectural interest and one of the best examples of rural construction present within the city.

Nestled in amongst the old, hand-carved limestone quarries and green olive groves, the farmhouse is located just on the outskirts of town, in a place marked by small ravines descending from town down towards the Matera countryside and the Martella rural district.

Thanks to painstaking, expert restoration and re-development work, the Masseria Santa Lucia has been able to preserve the tangible signs of its significant historic identity.

The olive press, the large, wood-fired stone oven, the stalls, the olive and almond groves, the areas for socializing and relaxing, the limestone quarries, the architectural gem of a farmhouse with its charming little annexed church and the external sheep fold.

All of these spaces have been transformed into areas for events and entertainment. Every object within the residence and suite has been designed and carefully hand-crafted by local artisans.

As signs and evidence of the millennial history of this town carved in stone, incisions can be seen on the walls of the various hollowed out spaces, representing the limestone blocks that were cut long ago by experts of the time, who extracted the stone that was then used in construction and manufacturing.

Passing through the gate of the Masseria Santa Lucia, one enters into a rural world surrounded by greenery and bare stone, with terraces and gardens and an olive grove where the swimming pool appears, overlooking the soft and sinuous hills of Timmari, Picciano and Igino.

To experience the Masseria Santa Lucia means to travel back in time, passing through the history of the local peasant culture, and enjoying the experience of a great rebirth, in harmony with nature and rewarded by elegant simplicity.

THE HISTORY
An outpost of peasant civilization, a landfill for old and used cars, an abandoned place, marred by neglect and waste. Just thinking about the condition in which the Masseria Santa Lucia was found, sends shivers up the spine. Today our family swells with pride at having taken the place to heart.

Our mother Vita and father Luciano Adorisio had a great feeling about the place and decided to buy the large estate back in 2005. With optimism and commitment, they (our parents and us children – Francesco, Simona and Rosalba) have pursued a family dream.

Over the years we have put the place back together, stone by stone, renovating the rooms, respecting the heritage of the place and its architecture, and redeveloping and enhancing the interior spaces and exteriors with targeted measures, carefully restoring everything, while leaving the fascinating signs of time intact.

The strength of our love for this place has been the single driving force in restoring, rebuilding, preserving and living in this large house that welcomes tourists and travelers.

ROOMS & SUITES
There are standard rooms, suites and family residences, some of which are partly carved into the rock, while others have been created in newly built limestone constructions. All our rooms and apartments are anti-seismic and have been done with minimalist design and in functional harmony with the surrounding environment of the historic complex.

Anti-seismic, some show the signs of peasant civilization that once lived here can often be seen in these spaces: mangers, niches, rings for tying animals and old fireplaces, all left as testaments of an old way of life passed over the centuries.

All rooms are made using eco-friendly materials and are powered by solar energy sources. The furnishings of the suites, including the limestone desks, wooden tables, beds and wardrobes were created by the skilled hands of local artisans. A single bed may be added to any of the rooms for an extra sleeping space.

THE RESTAURANT
As evidence of the signs of the passing of time and the millenary history of the city of Matera, shaped in the rock, with the help and skill of masters of other times we give new life to our environments with the birth of our restaurant room.

Once the spaces were dedicated to the production of olives, almonds, legumes and cereals , today the same spaces are ready to welcome our guests to let them rediscover those flavors and aromas of the past, to introduce the culinary art that has always distinguishes our historic identity.

The merger between Basquiat “Il Ristorante” and Masseria Santa Lucia was born, like all important stories in an ordinary day, in this place where “the clock stops” from acquaintances of our families and from a friendship born in the past with chef Giancarlo Del Castello. Thus, in front of a good glass of wine, one begins to fantasize… and one ends up planning!

The radical chic restaurant and the rural chic Masseria share a passion for tradition and the idea of ​​farsightedness and it is with these values ​​that they welcome their guests and a new season.

THE BAR
Located within an old stable, the Bar offers guests a rich continental breakfast. Aperitifs include little sandwiches, focaccia, various traditional nibbles and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

On the buffet there is no shortage of fresh local products, including warm tasty Matera bread to be topped with organic extra virgin olive oil produced on our farm, wood-fired focaccia, fresh cherry tomatoes and upon request, cured meats, cheeses and other dairy products – all locally produced.

THE SPA
Health by water: the soon to be opened Spa of the Masseria Santa Lucia is located in a space characterized by ancient walls and a swimming pool dug-out of limestone, found intact, where the steps of the staircase were carved out allowing you to immerse yourself in the pool’s restorative water. The spa offers comfortable changing rooms, a sauna, a Turkish bath and an emotional shower.

THE POOL
Among olive groves and green lawn terraces, the Farm-house swimming pool welcomes you in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, offrendo benessere e strepitosi tramonti sotto caressing waterfalls and relaxing whirlpools.

Surrounded by rocky boulders typical of the area from which prickly pear and other Mediterranean plants sprout at 18 meters long, the pool is ideal for young and old alike, who can safely swim in water that ranges from 25 cm up to 1.40 meters deep.

The pool is open June to September, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. There are also tables and chairs available where guests can enjoy food and beverages.

EVENTS & EXPERIENCES
In an underground space once dedicated to the processing of olives and almonds, with carved-out niches forming a framework of luminous stone, the internal space is dedicated to events and welcomes birthdays, graduation parties, intimate weddings, as well as business meetings and team building activities.

The outdoor area, once used as a sheepfold for shepherds taking their flocks to pasture, hosts private parties and themed dinners with entertainment in the summer months. There is a small church dedicated to Saint Lucia which can host the simulation of civil rites for weddings and vow taking.

read making in the old oven, olive harvesting during the season, exploration of the city on board an Ape Car or a visit to the rural village of Borgo La Martella, where the first families were relocated to from the Sassi districts in 1953, are just some of the alternative experiences that guests can have in addition to enjoying a relaxing stay at the Masseria.

These additional optional experiences bring together the senses, meanings and symbols of the history of this place, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the spirit of the city.

In addition, pasta making workshops, wine tastings and guided tours to the Sassi districts and other neighboring areas of great urban and architectural interest can all be organized upon request.

MATERA
Matera has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993 and was elected European Capital of Culture for 2019, the city of Sassi, carved into the rock and built with limestone from its ancient quarries, is among the oldest cities in the world.

Its remote origins are also testified to by the Paleolithic relics found, as well as the Neolithic settlements present in the Murgia Park of Matera, just beyond the canyon that divides the territory.

The two ancient districts, the Sasso Caveoso and Sasso Barisano, are characterized by the presence of the sophisticated rain-water collection systems (within small and larger cisterns) throughout the districts, and constitute one of the best preserved examples of existing bio-architecture in the world.

The heritage of religious architecture is also worth noting, in particular the rupestrian complexes, with about 150 churches carved into the rock, many of which are frescoed and restored. Among these: The Convicinio di Sant’Antonio, the complex of Madonna delle Virtù and San Nicola dei Greci, the Madonna dell’Idris and the extraordinary Crypt of Original Sin.

A walk (with comfortable shoes) through the alleyways and squares of the Sassi neighborhoods and the city center with its baroque churches, The Domenico Ridola National Museum of Archeology and Palazzo Lanfranchi, home to he Museum of Medieval and Modern Art of Basilicata

The Sassi districts have captivated some of the world’s greatest international filmmakers due to their beautiful, suggestive landscapes, lighting and architecture. Matera has been a film location since the 1950s, seen as the Jerusalem of Southern Italy by Pier Paolo Pasolini, Mel Gibson, Catherine Hardwick and many other directors who have set biblical films there.

The Sassi have also been chosen as the setting for other non-biblical major Hollywood productions, again, for their uniquely spectacular scenery. Among the latest films to be shot here are: Wonder Woman and No time to die, last James Bond’s adventure.

A guided tour is recommended, in order to learn about the town’s more contemporary history. To discover in this way the history and the important urban evolution obtained thanks to the contributions of Luigi Piccinato, Ludovico Quaroni, Adriano Olivetti, Carlo Aymonino and Giancarlo De Carlojust some of the architects and urban planners who contributed to giving a new face to the city of the Sassi by most avant-garde urban planning experiments of the 50-60s.

Rooms: 10

Price: from 89 EUR per night

Source: www.masseriasantaluciamatera.com