Elegantly styled and graciously comfortable country homes
Here is a chance to get in on the ground floor of Italy’s “Tuscany in the making,” with a made-to-measure country home constructed for that select few, outside the mysterious and historic town of Matera.
This is Basilicata, one of Italy’s lesser-known regions that is finally being discovered by foreign property buyers. Situated between the hauntingly beautiful region of Calabria, the olive groves of Puglia and the region of Campania where the Amalfi Coast is located, Basilicata offers a world of unspoilt beauty and tranquillity.
Named by the Financial Times as “Tuscany in the making”, Basilicata is the ideal spot for those seeking rural Italy’s most loved qualities: unspoilt countryside, beautiful beaches, medieval churches and castles, charming old towns, ancient ruins, vineyards, mountains and delicious food.
One of Basilicata’s main appeals is its idyllic rural landscape – especially the hilly countryside around Matera. The visitor might mistake the region for Tuscany. This area could well become Italy’s next property hotspot, appealing to the many buyers who seek a dream home in the countryside.
Matera itself is a unique and very ancient town. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is where the hugely impressive Sassi caves are located. Carved into the solid rock, these places are believed to date from prehistoric times. The Sassi are being restored and turned into amazing hotels, restaurants, hi-tech offices and private residences. Also undergoing restoration are more than 100 churches carved into the rock.
Over the years, Matera has attracted Hollywood film-makers seeking stunning historical locations. James Bond’s Quantum of Solace and Mel Gibson’s epic, The Passion of the Christ, were filmed here.
American film director Francis Ford Coppola is contributing to the Basilicata buzz as he converts a 19th-century listed building into a hotel in nearby Bernalda called Palazzo Margherita. The town of Matera has also been voted the safest city in Italy by the prestigious Sole 24 Ore for the second year running.
In the cypress-dotted hills just outside of Matera, luxury country houses are being built for the select few. Buyers choose their own space, interior layout and design to complement and reflect their taste, personality and lifestyle. Here is an opportunity to create an inspiring dream home.
Timeless sophistication, flawless execution and unparalleled finishes are all hallmarks of these luxe residences. The gorgeous, hand-crafted stone houses are being built to exacting standards by artisans using traditional techniques. The skillful stonemasons will carve vaulted ceilings, large fireplaces and arched cloisters to provide shade from the summer sun. The quality and craftsmanship are second to none.
Each elegant masseria (traditional one-storey farmhouses built around a courtyard with cloister) offers old-world European charm with all the comforts and sophistication of a modern luxury villa. Beautifully crafted from local stone, called pietra leccese, the contrast of the crystal blue sky with the white stone of the exterior is truly striking.
The masserie feature 175-400m² of living space, which can be divided up to your preference. In addition, each property has a private courtyard that ranges in size from 255m² to 821m² as well as a private swimming pool.
The luxurious villas are set in their own plots of at least 1.5 hectares, offering the ultimate in privacy, together with panoramic views over the countryside.
Buyers of the exclusive custom-designed masserie will also receive free regular supplies of the best organic produce the region has to offer. What could be healthier than the sun-ripened crops grown in a region famous for supplying produce to Italy and the world?
The plots are located just 12 kilometres from the Puglia border and 45 minutes from Bari International Airport. Brindisi International Airport is an 80-minute drive. The town of Matera is less than a 10-minute drive and the dazzling beaches of the Ionian Coast are 25 minutes away.
Experience an idyllic world of timeless beauty, sophisticated charm and the splendour of graceful living in one of Italy’s last hideaways.
Prices: From €750,000.
