Palazzo Ducale Venturi

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Living
the History

Built in 1500 and once called ‘Castello Nuovo’, Palazzo Ducale Venturi was firstly a settlement for the Templari and then a medieval fortress. Palazzo Ducale Venturi is a severe sixteenth century structure, which can be considered as a true fledged fortress house.
It is distributed on two floors and corresponding to the windows and the large front door you can see a series of machicolations which were to defend the building from foreign attacks.
The ashlar portal is of particular interest and is dominated by the coat of arms Venturi.
It was one of the first salentine Ducal houses to open its doors and welcome guests in the sumptuous and aristocratic world of five centuries of history, art and culture.
The Palace has been completely renovated under the supervision of the Soprintendenza of cultural heritage, managing to recover antique ovens, star vaulted ceilings in leccese stone and “chianche” (local old stone) pavements.
Today the noble summerhouse is available for those who wish to dive into a fascinating place offering peace and beauty nestled in the heart of the small village of Minervino, between majestic olive trees and lush vineyards.
Palace Venturi is exclusive, absorbed in greenery, a place to stop in time and to feel unique moments.

Offers

LONG STAY

Long stay

Early booking

Long stay

Our
Services

Palazzo Ducale Venturi welcome you with an exclusive setting for your special moments, a relaxing pool and an incredible underground heated pool, a gym and a massage center, a genuine breakfast rich with local typical food. We’ll take care of you for any need.

Exclusive interiors

The palace has been completely renovated under the supervision of the Soprintendenza of cultural heritage.

Breakfast

Since the morning. genuine and fresh products for a breakfast in the interest of wellness. To start the day in a better way, a wide selection of coffee (american coffee, italian espresso or personalized Bialetti moka) is available for our guests.

Comfort and cleaning

Our rooms are provided with safe, heating and air conditioning, soundproofing, shower, hair-drier, bathrobe, complimentary toiletries, flat screen TV, satellite channels. telephone, minibar, electric kettle. Daily linen change and room cleaning.

Pools

External pool with crystal salted water and an underground heated pool with Jacuzzi converted from an ancient oil mill.

Fitness, wellness and SPA

The hotel offers a well-equipped gym, illuminated by natural light, with pilates equipment, treadmill and weights. It also offers a massage and beauty center, hairdressing service and an underground heated pool with Jacuzzi converted from an ancient oil mill.

Private parking

Free Wi-Fi

Free internet connection for all our guests.

Honesty bar

Free soft drink minibar

A selection of soft drinks and snacks which are restocked every day.

Concierge

At Your disposal 24 hours a day.

Roomservice H24

Business station

Printer, computer, Wi-Fi and LAN internet connection, flat screen tv, projector.

Free bike rental

To explore the luxuriant olive groves and the centuries-old stones near Minervino di Lecce, being in close contact with the authentic nature.

Shuttle service

To and from the airport and train stations, 24 hours a day ( extra charge).

Very close to the sea

Located in Minervino di Lecce, 12 km far from Otranto and 6 km from the sea, Palazzo Venturi is situated in a strategic position, very close to the pearls of Salento, full of history, natural beauties and pristine beaches. Palazzo Venturi is just 10 km far from Santa Cesarea, 7 km from Porto Badisco, 9 km from Otranto and 35 km from Santa Maria di Leuca. The Ionian coast is about 40 km from here. A beach kit is available at the reception; it includes a beach bag and Palazzo Ducale Venturi printed beach towels.

Laundry service

7 days a week (extra charge).

Palazzo Ducale Venturi

Luxury Relais & Wellness

Un luogo dove l’amore per il bello, per l’eleganza e per la storia regaleranno ai vostri momenti più preziosi un’atmosfera unica.

The mistery

The Abbess

According to legends, the Duke Venturi of Minervino had a great love and passionate relationship with the Abbess of the Convent and had a secret underground passage built which connected the Palace to the Monastery. Although their ‘love story’ lasted quite a few years, the Duke fell madly in love with a young Novice who came from a Neapolitan noble family.

The discovery

Sant'Eligio

Around mid-sixteenth century, Saint Eligio, returning from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, stopped in Apulia. He heard about the legend of the Abbess of Minervino and decided to visit the historical Palace of Duke Venturi. Even though no one was there, the door was open, and as soon as he walked in, the devil showed up, dressed like a woman: Saint Eligio rapidly grabbed him by the nose with tongs. And since then the Abbess’s curse disappeared. This coloured legend is depicted in two French Cathedrals (Angers and Le Mans) and in the Duomo in Milan, with the glazed window by Niccolo’ da Varallo donated by Milanese goldsmiths in 1400.

The Princess

Royal blood

The legendary life of Giorgio (born in Cappadocia), recruited in the roman army, does not explain why he left the military life to take a journey to Alimini in Apulia, where a fierce dragon lived in a lake.

The monster often visited the local town and with a malefic blow killed the people and then ate them. So then the locals decided to bring him two sheep each day so that he would not continue to massacre the citizens. But when they started to run out of sheeps, the King decided to send a sheep and a Youth chosen at random.

The origins

The Duke Venturi

Venturi Palace is an austere structure of the sixteenth century that can be considered a real fortress. It is on two floors, and you can see machicolations by the windows and the entrance door, used to defend the building from foreign attacks. The ashlar worked gate with the Venturi emblem displayed above has a remarkable artistic value.

Situated in Minervino di Lecce, 12 km south of Otranto and 6 km from the sea. A unique place because of its ‘out of time’ atmosphere, because of its research in furniture, paintings, and ancient artifacts, in the 13 bedrooms and suites, because of the recovery of 2 salt wood oven brught to their former glory which will allow guests to discover ancient recipes of Salento and to learn how to prepare them.

Ideal for a romantic gateway or for a relaxing vacation, unwinding in the beauty and immersing into nature, with the scents of the open-air lounge nestled in the orange grove and the crystal water of the outdoor swimming pool with salt water or the indoor heated one, converted from an underground oil mill. Or just get fit in our fully equipped gym or relax in our massage and aesthetic parlour.

This is Palazzo Ducale Venturi, a place where the love for beauty, elegance and history will give you a unique atmosphere for your most precious moments.

Palazzo Ducale Venturi

Luxury Relais & Wellness