Borgagne: Defensive Architecture, Courtyard Houses and Olive-Growing Landscape

Borgagne combines historic defensive architecture, traditional courtyard houses and a landscape shaped by ancient olive trees. If you are looking for a hotel in Borgagne, these themes can help guide your choice of destination. Architectural history, sacred art and landscape offer different highlights, from fortified houses and a castle to an ancient olive tree on the outskirts and an official cycling route.

Castello Petraroli and Defensive Architecture

The first, circular tower of Castello Petraroli was built in 1497 to protect Borgagne from raids by Turkish corsairs. The rest of Castello Petraroli was built in the first decades of the 16th century. A moat surrounded the complex, and at its centre was a rectangular courtyard. The building’s history thus spans from the end of the 15th century to the first decades of the following century.

Individual architectural features can be distinguished in the visible remains: the original tower stands at the northeast corner, while the moat is visible only on the east side. Decorative corbels are found on all sides, and a machicolation is situated above the main gate. Palazzo Sciurti in Borgagne was also built in the 16th century as an important defensive structure for the town. Thus, in addition to the castle, Borgagne’s defensive architecture includes another building with a defensive function.

Courtyard Houses, Chapel and Olive Mill

There are eight courtyard houses in the historic centre, some of which have been fully restored. Typical courtyard houses are a defining feature of Borgagne’s medieval heritage. A recently restored courtyard at Via IV Novembre 32 is incorporated into a characteristic Casa-torre. Casa-torre refers to fortified houses that became widespread from the 16th century onwards. Their defensive features include machicolations, openings for dropping projectiles and loopholes. The combination of living space and defence makes these houses a distinct architectural type alongside castles and palazzi.

The Cappella Madonna del Carmine was built in 1619. Inside the chapel is a partially damaged 17th-century fresco depicting the Virgin Mary with the Child. It was once located at the altar of the Madonna of Constantinople. The chapel thus brings together a specific construction date and a depiction from the 17th century. The Sciurti olive mill offers a different architectural perspective: it was reused during various historical periods and is semi-underground, not entirely underground.

Olive-Growing Landscape and Cycling Route

The area around Borgagne is characterised by centuries-old olive trees; Olio della Terra d’Otranto is produced there. Borgagne is also the first stop on the Itinerario Ulivi Monumentali. An ancient olive tree with extraordinary shapes stands on the outskirts of the town. Thus, the agricultural landscape and a particular tree on the edge of town represent different aspects of the olive theme.

An official cycling route covers the 25.6-kilometre Melendugno–Borgagne–Sant’Andrea–Masserie route.

When choosing where to stay, you can first consider which focus best suits your trip: defensive and residential architecture and sacred art, or the olive-growing landscape and cycling.

Discover more destinations: Sannicola, Torre Saracena, Montesano Salentino, Porto Cesareo, Casalabate, Poggiardo, Tuglie, Melpignano.

For the broader travel overview: Lecce.