Palazzo San Vito
The exquisite renovation of this soaring palazzo mixes simple modern lines with historical charm, and includes a glorious courtyard garden and pool
Palazzo San Vito lies in the heart of sunbaked Salento, just five minutes’ drive from Lecce and less than half an hour from both coasts, right down in Italy’s heel.
A sensitive restoration of the property’s cathedral-like proportions has created a calm and beautiful property for eight. The soaring star- and barrel-vaulted ceilings have been left with their original paint colours, now beautifully faded, and innovative design slots into the ancient walls with easy synchronicity.
The charm of the old is mixed with the ease of the new: air conditioning and heating are in every room, likewise high-speed wifi. There’s a portable projector with a Smart TV and speakers for both indoor and outdoor use and the kitchen and bathrooms are all high-spec. The play of light inside is magnificent and guests might find they just sit slack-jawed staring at the architecture.
Outside there is more to explore, including the glorious pool and the mattresses and sunloungers beside it. A citrus grove, mature trees and beautiful stone walls provide stunning colours in this courtyard garden, along with a lounge area and dining table outside the kitchen’s arched glass wall. The lush planting at the entrance to the house offers another beautiful space for guests to use, out of the heat of the sun.
For a refined stay in Salento, Palazzo San Vito is hard to beat.
