Introduction: The Masseria and its genius loci
The farmhouse known as "Cristo del Soluco" or simply "Soluco" is an ancient building complex that, after a long period of abandonment, has been carefully and lovingly restored by the new owners. The restoration project followed the principles of the Italian Restoration Charter of 1972 and the European Charter of Architectural Heritage (Amsterdam 1975). The restoration activities, which lasted over 4 years, were conducted with the approach of "integrated conservation", preserving the physical, architectural, landscape, and natural features in order to maintain the site's aura, identity, and unique genius loci.

Everything in the Masseria and its surrounding lands is characterized by authenticity and genuineness.

The Masseria Soluco is located in the countryside of Monopoli, in the district of Gorgofreddo, and can be reached by taking a rural road off Lacatena Street. The road winds through a landscape of dry stone walls, surrounded by tree cultivations, oak trees, and strawberry trees.

After a tight bend, the Masseria suddenly appears to the visitor, nestled on the base of a ridge, as the access road widens, surrounded by olive trees, almond trees, and pomegranate trees.

Historical information: dating and morphology of the building complex
Direct historical and documentary information about the Masseria Soluco is scarce, but the examination of the walls and the unique arrangement of the volumes allows us to understand its construction and development phases.

The plan highlights a complex of buildings: the original nucleus consists of a massive two-level tower, probably dating back to the 15th century, with barrel vaults and imposing walls (about 1.80 meters thick). Two lateral volumes of equal height and similar construction were added, probably in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as a majestic trullo, now in ruins. Later, another lower volume was added to the building, most likely in the 18th century, as an oven, which has been restored, where the inhabitants of the surrounding areas used to bake bread. Another volume includes a chapel, characterized by an arched pediment surmounted by three stone statues, as well as additional rooms with troughs and chimneys. A charming red bell tower stands above and characterizes the top of the main structure.

On the right side of the complex, there is a proper chapel with a stone altar of exquisite workmanship, currently covered with layers of glossy white enamel. The chapel is presumably from the 18th century and was certainly officiated as such since 1857, the date of the indulgence granted by Archbishop Pedicini to the priest Isaia Romeo from Monopoli. To commemorate this dedication, the family had a plaque placed, which is still walled on the inner counter facade of the chapel.

The chapel has a vaulted nave, while the presbytery is covered by a dome with a chiancarelle extrados, similar to the dome of a trullo. In addition to the altar, the chapel is adorned with a wooden crucifix, faithful to the 19th-century iconography and now restored, which is venerated in the district on the feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14th. In fact, the celebration of the district traditionally took place in the chapel and the surrounding areas of the Masseria on September 14th (according to the testimony of the parish priest of the communities of Antonelli and Gorgofreddo, Father Vincenzo Muolo). The upper part of the pediment is surmounted by three small statues, one of which is headless, probably representing Dominican saints judging by their attire (perhaps telling an even older story of the Masseria as a fortified monastery).

The main building is connected to the rear by a curious structure, once used as an ancient oven: a large portico, whose vault was completely blackened by smoke, with a small opening on the left leading to the enclosed space behind the Masseria. The ancient "public" oven (behind which a smaller oven has been restored and brought back into use) occupies the entire room and surprisingly links the buildings, giving the Masseria complex an unsuspected unity.

A few meters from the corner of the chapel, to the north of the complex, the remains of a large collapsed trullo can still be found, with its distinct shape visible up to the vault's springing line, as well as the remains of a lamia, whose connection with the trullo is recognizable. They have been partially swallowed by the vegetal soil that has slid down the slope, following the natural inclines and artificial terraces. Looking at the complex from Lacatena Street or the entrance avenue, one can imagine its state before the collapse, with the majestic contrast between the imposing and austere tower, the chiancarelle-covered dome of the chapel, and the majestic trullo nearby.

Behind the complex, to the west, there is a large enclosed courtyard, protected by impressive dry stone walls, much taller than those typically found in the rural landscapes of Apulia. The walls follow the slope, creating a natural open-air sitting area where one can spend pleasant summer evenings.

Another noteworthy feature is the presence of a complex system for collecting and channeling rainwater into an external cistern, on which a well was also built (now restored). The water collection system, common in ancient rural Apulian Masserie, is of particular interest here. The Soluco Masseria complex is equipped with three cisterns: two inside the buildings and one outside, located between the trullo and the main structure. The oldest cistern was filled with water collected on the roof of the 18th-century addition and half of the roof of the higher building. Through an ingenious system of downspouts, it filled a second cistern located under one of the rooms, which still has two inspection openings. The other half of the higher roof was instead channeled into a clay pipe, which in turn filled a third large cistern located under another room. The water settled in this cistern and then overflowed, purified, into a smaller cylindrical cistern, which served as a well for drawing water.

The Masseria and its surroundings
A panoramic view from above (also appreciable from the Masseria's panoramic terraces) clearly shows the symbiotic relationship between the building complex and its surrounding environment. While the architectural complex is of certain aesthetic, historical, and cultural interest, what makes it truly fascinating is its connection to the rural and natural surroundings. The Masseria Soluco is located at the base of slopes that define a wide, gently incised parallel valley, to the southwest of Gorgofreddo, and is close to a dolina, representing the lowest point of the Masseria's surroundings.

The agricultural lands surrounding the Masseria are mainly cultivated with olive trees, but there are also fruit tree cultivations interspersed with large patches of wooded areas, mainly consisting of Quercus trojana or strawberry trees, especially on the higher parts of the surroundings. In the lower area, the highest amount of vegetal soil has been collected over time (often washed down from the slopes, which remain visible with their rocky surfaces despite attempts at containment with dry stone walls). The area, which now houses a large vegetable garden, an orchard, and a vineyard, naturally allows for the highest intensity and quality of crops (as often happens in the beds of the valleys in the Apulian Murgia). Within the estate, there are also sinkholes where flowing water disappears underground, and near these sinkholes, there are soils with strong clayey and iron-rich components, which often characterize the mortars used in the construction of ancient buildings.

The close relationship between the Masseria Soluco and its surrounding environmental and structural components (the ability to store water at the base of the slopes by collecting it with impermeable surfaces, to dispose of excess water by channeling it in specific directions, to use the stone material directly from the site or from the exposed and fractured rocky outcrops, and to build the structures directly on the emerging rocky bench) makes it an exquisite and genuine example, perfectly restored and preserved, of the agricultural culture in the southern Murgia region of Apulia.

The characteristics of the territory hosting the Masseria Soluco are indeed typical of the Murgia dei Trulli, which is particularly beautiful and charming in this small area between the fields of Alberobello, Monopoli, and Castellana, with enchanting landscapes waiting to be explored.

Situated over 300 meters above sea level, the Masseria enjoys a delightful climate, always cool and breezy, even in summer, thanks to a unique microclimate created by the presence of springs and underground "rivers" of water (the same ones that have formed the wonderful limestone formations found a few kilometers away in the famous Grotte di Castellana).

The Masseria is an ideal base for enjoying the nearby beaches of Capitolo and Savelletri, less than 7 kilometers away (especially the Lido Le Tamerici, where the hilly waters meet the sea and where Masseria guests can reserve sunbeds and umbrellas), as well as for discovering other ancient Masserie in the area and the natural and anthropic beauties that adorn the surrounding territory and its rich hinterland.

The Masseria today
Within its imposing walls, the Masseria now houses six finely furnished suites (thanks to the careful supervision of the owners, expertly assisted by Nicolò and Aleksandra from "Le Icone"), equipped with every modern comfort.

At the highest point of the property, where there used to be an irrigation basin, a panoramic saltwater swimming pool has been built, immersed in the tranquility of the olive and centuries-old oak trees, offering Masseria guests moments of peace, well-being, and absolute relaxation, far from the noise and bustle of daily life. The pool also features hydro-massage areas, allowing guests to enjoy the crystal-clear waters amidst the greenery, in silence, under the splendid Apulian sky.

The olives from the estate are used to produce a delicious olive oil, which Masseria guests can taste and enjoy, even as a condiment for vegetables harvested directly from the on-site garden (depending on the season: tomatoes, zucchini, eggplants, various types of lettuce, turnips, cabbages, peppers, chili peppers, broccoli rabe, radishes, chicory, Swiss chard, broccoli, carosello cucumber, basil, sage, parsley, mint, oregano, as well as yellow melons, watermelons, etc.).

From the fruit trees in the orchard and scattered throughout the nearly 5 hectares of the property, guests can pick figs, prickly pears, apples, quinces, pears, cherries, sour cherries, peaches, apricots, walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, pomegranates, and lemons, depending on the season.

One can take long walks within the property or stop to read or meditate in the shade of an olive tree or oak tree, taking advantage of the designated relaxation areas and benches.

In the restored old oven or in the barbecue area, guests can also, in agreement with the manager, organize grilling sessions with meat, vegetables, or fish, or bake bread or pizzas.