Villa Athena

Villa Athena is an exquisite modern villa with garden and an inner courtyard with pool, located in Gagliano del Capo, a little town of the lower Salento, the southernmost tip of Puglia, only a few minutes away from the Adriatic Sea. Property of a two Italian architects, it has been by them conceived as a family refuge from the busy metropolitan life; and it has been so realized as to be in relation with the surrounding urban context, the natural elements and the colors of this land, and –last but not least- with the traditional local craftsmanship in the choice of some pieces of décor.

The building resembles the structure typical of the “domus romanae”, where a central inner courtyard with a spacious patio, equipped and shaded with bamboo mats, allows to enjoy conviviality with family and friends also outside, around the elegant pool, that with its deep blue brings to mind the sea. The main feature of the property certainly is its white color, which softens the austere lines of the modern architecture so different from the surrounding environment, since it does not offer any resistance to the light; hence the natural light, with its changing tonalities and the shade effects interplaying in the course of the day, continuously reshapes the space and smoothes its sharp contours. In a similar way, the ever present white backdrop allows every detail of décor, both inside and outside –as for example the succulent plants lining the pool on one side- to naturally emerge in its shape and find its balance in space. Everything is simple, and effortlessly elegant, in this peaceful haven.

The house, consisting of two separate units that enclose the courtyard with pool, is dominated by a tower, which is built in line with the bell tower of the near Saint Rocco Church, and which stands out on two floors so that one can see the sea, recalling the ancient watchtowers lining the coast of Salento from East to West. On the ground floor one finds, on one side, the living area composed of the sitting room leading into the spacious kitchen with fireplace, and a guest shower room; on the other side, the sleeping area comprising the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, which is connected to a twin bedroom (ideal for kids) with en-suite shower room, and one independent double bedroom with en-suite shower room. These two areas of the house, being structurally separated, communicate only via the outside patio of the courtyard with pool, which they overlook. In the tower there are then two further bedrooms, one twin/double on the first floor, and a double bedroom on the second floor, each with en-suite shower room.

The interiors are characterized by the flooring made of Leccese stone (the typical local stone), the modern minimalist décor featuring precious materials and details drawn from the local craftsmanship tradition –as for example the lampshades made with reeds, the textiles, the terracotta objects-, and the wide glass windows leaving space to the light, uninterrupted from the inside to the outside. Lastly, the outside grounds of the property include, in addition to the aforementioned courtyard with pool, another equipped area on the rear side of the house, and two courtyard gardens, a smaller one with a vegetable garden and an orchard, and a bigger one with Mediterranean plants.

Distances

Shops & restaurants: walking distance from the house
Adriatic sea, rocky coast: the locality of “Ciolo” 1 km (walking distance); Marina di Novaglie 4.6 km; Tricase Porto 13 km; Marina di Andrano 18 km; Castro 24 km; Santa Cesarea Terme 27 km.
Adriatic sea, sandy coast: Otranto beaches 42 km; natural reserve of “Le Cesine” 69 km.
Ionian sea, pebble and sandy coast: Santa Maria di Leuca 5 km; locality of “Felloniche” 11 km; Torre Vado 15 km; Torre Pali 18 km; Torre Mozza 25 km; Torre San Giovanni 35 km; Punta della Suina 46 km.
Otranto (renowned for its beautiful Cathedral): 52 km
Lecce (the capital of the Baroque): 65 km
Gallipoli (the last outpost of the Magna Grecia): 50 km
Santa Maria di Leuca (“de finibus terrae”): 8 km
Brindisi (airport): 117 km
Bari (airport): 240 km