A Tour To The Top Of The Tower

The Masseria Santa Lucia started life in the 14th century as a watch tower build over a cave and was a topical style of farm house of this region. Prior to the tower people lived in all the cave system that run right through this area, actually this southern area is a labyrinth of grottos.

We enter the tower via steps that are so high even I with my long legs found it difficult so Sandy was a great sport as usual with me wanting to go to the highest places to see the view or something. Not sure if I would want to live in it as they do as it's a long way up to bed every night.

There is a sign carved into the stone over the top entrance door which once translated says it was last renovated in 1758 in which time the tower was inhabited by a religious person and a alter was added as well as a praying nock and frescos.

All of this was painted over in the past centuries by non religionist people until Lucania and Danilo took on the latest restorations. Being of historical significant they can't do to much but they have been able to uncover the frescos and the praying nock, but the alter is long gone.

The tower in its day was fortified for protection from the traveling tribes and we got to see into the floors and the hiding places for themselves and their treasures. The donkey stable, cave, was at the base of the steps and was the first point of night time protection as the donkeys would go off if some one came near the tower.

It was a self sufficient building with all roof water drained into underground caves for storage in the summer time. Under the roof but over the ceiling there was a 1m tall rabbit room where they were keep until needed. On the side of the building there were pigeon holes made into the stone of the tower that you could access from behind to collect eggs and the birds when required. Along with the roof area where grains, fruit and vegies could be dried for winter storage. An amazing glimpse into the past and a story well told by our hosts.