Masseria 12 Granai is a delightful, peaceful farmhouse in Salento, immersed in history and nature, characterised by its relaxed, friendly, informal atmosphere.
The Masseria
The Masseria is a fortified 18th-century building. It is situated in the open countryside just outside Minervino di Lecce, 7km from the sea, and just 15 minutes from Otranto.
The structure – covering around 1,000m2 surrounded by fortified walls and with a large courtyard – takes its name from its 12 underground granaries (hypogeal), carved out from the stone. During the renovation work in 2008, we respected the original materials and style and did our utmost to save energy and make use of renewable sources (photovoltaic energy and solar panels, water from artesian wells).
Our welcoming style
Our bed & breakfast was designed to be a welcoming place for anyone seeking peace and quiet, and a comfortable base for visiting Salento and the sea. It is an open place with a warm, informal environment and a curiosity for different cultures. Here, you will find yourself among friends while still enjoying the utmost privacy. We are set up to welcome visitors from overseas (we speak English, French and Spanish) and to help you discover this region.
Breakfast
Breakfast is always a pleasant moment – on holiday even more so. We offer a typical Mediterranean breakfast with coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, fruit juices, fresh fruit, and homemade cakes and baked products. There are also eggs, cold cuts, and cheeses. But if you have any specific requests or wishes, we will be sure to meet them.
Communal areas
The farmhouse has large communal areas. There is a large dining room, where you can enjoy breakfast and a room with a fireplace ideal for taking a break and enjoying a drink with the other guests, reading, playing music and games (we are keen bridge players, by the way).
The large external courtyard with the well is the place to relax and play, while the large terrace is the best place to admire the starry sky. In the garden there is a common kitchen equipped for preparing a hot dish or sharing dinner with the other guests. Next to the bougainvillea, since 2022 there is also a small swimming pool with hydromassage designed above all for relaxation.
Farmhouse in Salento: a bit of history
From the 16th century, throughout South Italy, farmhouses were the typical settlements in large feudal properties: they were the centre of life, the agricultural economy, and relations between the barons and farmers.
In 1744, at the land office of Otranto – the focal point of an area particularly exposed to attacks by Turkish pirates – 54 were registered, many of which were fortified, testifying to their defensive as well as productive functions.
The Masseria dei 12 Granai, owned by Baroness Basalù, dates back to those very years, with its mysterious underground storage areas designed to hide and preserve products from the land and otherwise.
The Masseria
The Masseria is a fortified 18th-century building. It is situated in the open countryside just outside Minervino di Lecce, 7km from the sea, and just 15 minutes from Otranto.
The structure – covering around 1,000m2 surrounded by fortified walls and with a large courtyard – takes its name from its 12 underground granaries (hypogeal), carved out from the stone. During the renovation work in 2008, we respected the original materials and style and did our utmost to save energy and make use of renewable sources (photovoltaic energy and solar panels, water from artesian wells).
Our welcoming style
Our bed & breakfast was designed to be a welcoming place for anyone seeking peace and quiet, and a comfortable base for visiting Salento and the sea. It is an open place with a warm, informal environment and a curiosity for different cultures. Here, you will find yourself among friends while still enjoying the utmost privacy. We are set up to welcome visitors from overseas (we speak English, French and Spanish) and to help you discover this region.
Breakfast
Breakfast is always a pleasant moment – on holiday even more so. We offer a typical Mediterranean breakfast with coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam, fruit juices, fresh fruit, and homemade cakes and baked products. There are also eggs, cold cuts, and cheeses. But if you have any specific requests or wishes, we will be sure to meet them.
Communal areas
The farmhouse has large communal areas. There is a large dining room, where you can enjoy breakfast and a room with a fireplace ideal for taking a break and enjoying a drink with the other guests, reading, playing music and games (we are keen bridge players, by the way).
The large external courtyard with the well is the place to relax and play, while the large terrace is the best place to admire the starry sky. In the garden there is a common kitchen equipped for preparing a hot dish or sharing dinner with the other guests. And next to the bougainvillea there is a little pool also ideal for children.
Farmhouse in Salento: a bit of history
From the 16th century, throughout South Italy, farmhouses were the typical settlements in large feudal properties: they were the centre of life, the agricultural economy, and relations between the barons and farmers.
In 1744, at the land office of Otranto – the focal point of an area particularly exposed to attacks by Turkish pirates – 54 were registered, many of which were fortified, testifying to their defensive as well as productive functions.
The Masseria dei 12 Granai, owned by Baroness Basalù, dates back to those very years, with its mysterious underground storage areas designed to hide and preserve products from the land and otherwise.
