Single-family detached house via Francesco Crispi 16, Centro, Ortelle

The magic of the timeless alleys that animate the historic center of Ortelle is inscribed in the skilful play of the volumes, which group together under the light of day. Ancient houses cradle memories as if they were lampare, lying on the mysterious sea of the evening, and what reemerges from the depths of the past is a residence that embodies the very essence of the history and enchantment of this southern land. It is not a simple suggestion of the mind or a poetic projection of nostalgia, because the façade that we encounter in via Francesco Crispi, at number 16, explains, in its simplicity, the constant work of the roots, the calm beauty of the archetypes, the smooth joy of bare stone.

The sensation of being in a special place becomes even more powerful once you cross the entrance threshold, because beyond the wooden door, surmounted by an elegant keystone, a depth opens up of the field, as extraordinary as it is unexpected. A sequence of four vaults, of varied shapes, outlines a single space projected towards the garden and what makes this solemn space even more intriguing is the abundant light, which comes from the central lunette, while in the background the gaze is attracted by the shining presence of a window, which gives apsidal elegance to the last of the starry vaults, near the exit.

The metric development of the spaces, the protrusion of the columns along an oblique trajectory, the very play of the heights, accentuated by the dynamics of a recent renovation mentioned, bring to mind the monumental grace of the nave of a church, with the central hearth that sinks into the walls with the same austerity of an altar and, almost opposite, a niche set in time, masterfully concealing the generous capacity of the original cistern .

Precisely the versatility of this residential unit leaves ample space for the ability to imagine the distribution of domestic environments. Among the many possible solutions, the writer finds the possibility of creating an internal courtyard particularly interesting, eliminating the flat attic placed between the first starry vault and the last two. In this way we would have a wonderful scenic effect, with a vaulted entrance that opens onto a courtyard, accompanied by a stone staircase, which would among other things allow us to recover and enhance the room located on the upper floor, with the fortunate prelude of a small terrace level, from which to enjoy the colorful beauty of the historic center and the thousand seasonal shades of the sky. At this point the other two star-vaulted rooms would follow, the access to which from the courtyard could be characterized by a large round glass window, with the possibility of making the most of the height and projection onto the rear garden.

A residual building area , on the southern side, would allow the addition of a comfortable bathroom with window on the right, while on the left the door that opens onto the wonderful outdoor space would remain intact. This natural refuge, accompanied by the intense scent of lemons and the blue of the sky, completes the miracle of a house from times gone by, the precious sap of a spell of relaxation and peace, an extraordinary journey through the wonders of a simple and maternal joy.

Ortelle is a charming village in the lower Salento, characterized by an ancient heart and appreciable monumental beauty. The small town takes its name from the Latin term "hortella" (small vegetable gardens), probably alluding to the presence of small extensions of fertile land in a Salento context characterized instead by sparse and rocky soil. Its position is excellent in relation to the sea and the other towns on the Adriatic coast, having Spongano, Poggiardo, Diso and Santa Cesarea in the immediate vicinity. You will be lucky enough to be just 10 minutes from the sea of Castro, 30 minutes from Otranto and 40 minutes from Lecce.--59e7100d3aa064cee168eabea6218c68!