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.
Experiences and services
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.
