NEW, COLORFUL AND PACKED WITH ART:
CASTLE ELVIRA IN LECCE REOPENS
IN AUTUMN A SENSE OF PLEASANT TRANQUILITY SETTLES OVER APULIA – THE SUMMER GUESTS HAVE LONG GONE, THE SUN IS STILL SHINING STRONGLY IN THE SKY AND THE COMING WINTER MONTHS PROMISE TO BE MAINLY MILD. THE EXCLUSIVE BOUTIQUE HOTEL, CASTLE ELVIRA, WITH ITS FOUR TOWERS APPEARS LIKE A FAIRYTALE CASTLE, INVITING ITS GUESTS TO CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF SOUTHERN ITALY.
The estate has an extraordinary charm, which also unfolds in the autumn and winter months. In the heated pool, by the crackling fireside or in the extra large whirlpool at the castle, the hours you spend will be as tranquil as they are inspiring, surrounded by an eclectic collection of excellent design and outlandish art.
Exclusivity and art
There are only six rooms available to book at Castle Elvira – therefore there are at most eleven other guests experiencing the excusive castle experience with you. Castle Elvira was built in the late 18th century and lay vacant for over 100 years before Steve Riseley and Harvey B-Brown purchased the historic building on the 37 hectare estate. The architects preserved the original, authentic flair of the castle during its renovation and added design details from the 20th century, eclectic interior design and modern technology. Particular attention was given to the carefully curated art works – including a selection of works by Riseley’s husband and artist, Harvey B-Brown.
Fairytale flair
Befitting any fairytale castle, Castle Elvira is enveloped in a tragic legend: Elvira is supposed to have been the name of a young, dreamy girl from Naples, whose affluent parents gave their only daughter the enchanting castle on her 17th birthday as a gift. To celebrate this, there was to be a banquet for which Elvira went out to gather mushrooms. As she accidently found poisonous mushrooms instead of porcini mushrooms, Elvira died, the inconsolable parents fled from the castle never to return. We can only assume the real reason that the stately property remained abandoned for a century – as in every good fairytale there is also a happy end for Castle Elvira: The castle was renovated with love by a new owner and the magic of Elvira’s contented spirit is tangible until this day in every room.
Exquisite cuisine
The castle restaurant serves delicacies: The chef, Fabiana, comes from Salento – her passion is focused on traditional Cucina Salentina – and she refines her daily menus with citrus fruits, pomegranates and fresh herbs from the castle garden. She prefers to use seasonal, local produce for her classical Apulian cuisine. The dishes are served in the two generous dining halls; the hotel also has a piano room with bar, two lounges, a cinema and a business suite. There is an air of romance on the large rooftop terrace of the castle: It is the perfect place to gaze at spectacular sunsets and the view of the splendid park landscape with its lemon and olive groves is indeed fabulous.
The castle was renovated carefully after slowly deteriorating for a century. The unique ceramic tiles on the floor bear testimony to the history of the location.
A place of tranquility: The aperitif is served every day on the rooftop terrace, from this location your view opens out on the huge park landscape surrounding the castle.
The mixture of antique and modern designer furniture, the stylish, opulent interior and the atmospheric lighting, which unite to create the luxurious atmosphere, has been hand-picked.
The temperatures in Apulia rarely drop below 10 degrees, with a little luck the air warms and it is pleasantly spring like. And if a thin layer of snow does happen to cover the landscape, you can relish the time in the warm pool, by the fireside or in the free-standing bathtub.
Not only the castle is enchanting – but also the art in Castle Elvira attracts a high degree of attention. The artist Harvey-B-Brown works in his atelier in the castle and is inspired by the magical flair surrounding him.
The ultimate luxury experience: A few kilometers from Lecce in Apulia, the exclusive and design-focused estate, Castle Elvira, welcomes its guests.
Photos Copyrights: Castle Elvira
Photos Copyrights: Castle Elvira
