In southern Italy there is a way of travelling that has nothing to do with anonymous hotels, impersonal corridors and chains that all look alike. A more authentic, slower, more human way. It is called albergo diffuso, and Borgoterra is one of its most evocative examples. Here you do not simply check into an accommodation: you step into a living village. In the heart of Martano's historic centre, among lanes of pale stone and silent courtyards, ancient granaries, monasteries, artisan workshops and private dwellings from the 16th to the 18th century have been restored with respect and sensitivity, keeping their original soul intact. The result is something rare to find today: a stay that becomes a cultural, emotional and sensory experience.
Martano lies in the heart of the Grecìa Salentina, a unique land within the Salento where Griko still survives, an ancient language of Greek origin handed down over centuries. A detail that completely changes the way this territory is experienced: here the Salento is not only the sea, but memory, identity, tradition and authenticity. The eleven dwellings of Borgoterra, namely Angolo, Capasa, Castelluzzo, Monaca, Protopapa, Scianni, Signorina Ada, Stalla, Steu, Vico and Casa Del Greco, are all different from one another. Each space holds a story, an atmosphere, a fragment of the past. Star vaults, Lecce stone, period furnishings, artisan details and original materials create warm and unrepeatable spaces, far from the standardised aesthetic of modern hotels.
Here there are no rooms that are all “the same”. There are places with character. But Borgoterra is not only hospitality. It is immersion in the territory. Guests can take part in tastings of local wines, Salento cooking courses, pizzica lessons, the folk dance that is a symbol of the Salento, excursions among centuries-old olive trees, guided tours of the historic villages and even stone-carving workshops on Lecce stone. For those seeking relaxation, there are agreements with beach clubs and spa centres, as well as bike rental to explore the Apulian countryside at a slow and authentic pace. Another aspect that makes Borgoterra special is its concrete attention to accessibility: some dwellings are equipped for guests with disabilities, a rare quality in a historic setting of this kind. Reaching it is simple.
The offer goes well beyond a simple overnight stay. The property offers guided tours of the territory, tastings of local wines, Salento cooking courses, pizzica lessons, the traditional dance of the Salento, and even stone-carving courses on Lecce stone. Those who prefer to relax can take advantage of agreements with beach clubs and thermal baths in the area, or rent bikes to ride the trails of the Apulian countryside. For those travelling for work or organising events, meeting rooms and spaces for ceremonies are available.
Among the features that set Borgoterra apart in the landscape of Italian hospitality is also its attention to accessibility: the property has rooms equipped for people with disabilities, a detail that is anything but obvious in a historic village with its architectural constraints.
The most convenient airport is Brindisi (BDS), about 35 km from Martano. From Zurich there are seasonal direct flights with easyJet, or connections with a stopover via Milan or Rome. Alternatively, Bari airport (BRI) is about 1 hr 45 min away by car.
From Lecce, reachable by train from Milan or Rome with a change, Martano is about 25 km away. You can continue with the STP Lecce regional buses (Lecce–Martano line, about 40 minutes) or by rental car. There is no railway station in Martano.
The car remains the most practical means to explore the Salento. Rental is available directly at Brindisi airport. Borgoterra has a nearby private partner car park at a cost of 10 € per day.
For those planning a trip to southern Italy from Switzerland, Borgoterra is a proposal off the beaten track, able to offer direct contact with the culture, the flavours and the slow rhythms of one of Italy's most authentic regions. The Salento is not only beaches and crystal-clear sea, and it is precisely here that an albergo like this helps you understand it.
Borgoterra Antiche Dimore
Via Chiesa, 7
73025 Martano (LE), Apulia
Tel. +39 0836 57180
info@borgoterra.com
www.borgoterra.com
