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It was Anno Domini 1517. At the first light of a fresh spring morning a light breeze rippled the sea under the west bastion. Coming from Lecce, an old carriage pulled by a panting horse left behind the Altolido greenhouse between two rows of silvery olive groves. With difficulty he finally managed to cross the wooden bridge and cross the Porta terra. Greeted by a crowd of waiting faithful, three friars of S. Domenico disembarked with the task of founding their own community in Gallipoli.

The year is 2021 but time seems to have stopped in the sixteenth century. We are on the roof of the splendid Boutique Hotel "I Bastioni San Domenico" where respect for the past, the authenticity of the places, the clean lines and the materials of the past describe this place as a dive into the Italian past.

 

It is here that, with a look towards the sea, AD 1517 was born. The terrace represents a tribute to Italian art, culture and architecture. The goal was to create a place where the natural elements blend into each other: the water of the splendid sea, the air of the sky that is always blue, the fire of the baroque fireplace coming from a patrician house and the land of the warm floor in Lecce stone. Coming out of the lift and looking straight ahead, everything is sea and sky. All the Apulian elements have been carefully recreated on the terrace, but the space remains free, versatile and malleable in order to be transformed into a lounge bar, restaurant or location for special events.

 

The sense of infinity is perceptible in every corner of the rooftop, where the guest's gaze is lost in the horizon thanks to the counter overlooking the sea.

 

We opted for minimal furnishings in order to let the space speak: comfortable Ethimo chairs, in a cardinal red that alludes to the Christian component, a refined mise en place composed of teak root plates, family silverware and Apulian ceramic bowls made by local artisans.

It is a sober and light decor since it is the terrace itself that tells its own story and conveys its authenticity.