The Leuca villas and their other-world charm
Whether hidden behind dense vegetation or glowing in the sunshine, there are precious pearls hidden in Leuca. We’re talking about 19th-century villas, eccentric, lively, colourful, in various styles, throwbacks to more elegant and luxurious times. The mix of styles and decoration reflect the melting pot of cultures and peoples that Leuca has always been, set in the middle of the Mediterranean with its lighthouse to guide the seamen. Here, in the breathtaking landscape created by the meeting of rocks and sea, noblemen and rich merchants from everywhere chose to set up home, in a triumph of extravagance that makes the visitor think they were competing to see who could create the most beautiful villa.
The villas of Leuca can be admired by walking along the Cristoforo Colombo promenade, many of them seem happy to be seen by curious visitors, others more timid, hiding behind enormous gates and dense vegetation. You can also go inside but only on special days of the year such as The “Ville in Festa” event, usually in May, when you can get to see the fabulous furnishings and all kinds of frescoes.
Immediately following the Unification of Italy, the number of villas looking over the marina snowballed and today there are forty-three. Three of the architects in particular seem to have agreed amongst themselves to see who could incorporate the most unusual features while also agreeing that they would all incorporate certain domestic modules. Indeed, experts have noticed that all these period villas have a number of common features: a private chapel for religious services; a well for water; a large courtyard, sometimes with a small stables for horses and carriages; a rear garden; and large, light rooms. In this, although they might all appear very different from the outside, they all seem to follow a common theme.
The oldest houses date back to the end of the 18th century, like that of Baron Romasi, built in the Tuscan style – fashionable at the time. Many of the villas have columns with capitols; simple lines in the, classical style; shady porticoes and pinkish stonework; and pastel interiors (all features that inspired us at the Montirò Hotel).
Others, though, stand out for their quirkiness and originality, echoing distant, exotic places. To name just a few examples that will immediately thrill your eyes, take Villa Daniele, for example, nick-named ‘the ship’ for its very special shape, built in Arabian style; or Villa Episcopo, with its layout reminiscent of a Chinese pagoda; or Villa Mellacqua, which looks like a princess’s castle that has escaped to Leuca from the pages of a fairy tale to take a bathe.
These marvels of architecture are a clear indication that Santa Maria di Leuca has always been a highly fashionable bathing resort, even way back during the days of the Grand Tour. Today these wonderful villas of the past are there for you in all their charm, together with the sea, in its eternal, unchanging beauty.