Exclusive Typical Villa in Maratea - aka Mediterranean Pearl - South of Italy

The house was built at the end of the 80s, it is a "community" of 5 (become 7 in the last years) doctors/friends from Rome who discovered these old rustics abandoned in the hill of Cersuta. One of them was my father...

Each in turn, they restructured the old rustics with the help of a Tuscan architect, trying to maintain the structure of the old houses as much as possible.

Also known as the Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea or the City of 44 Churches, Maratea fascinates and amazes not only new visitors, but also those who return to discover new and unique places that cannot be found elsewhere in Italy.

The history of Maratea dates back to early settlements in the Palaeolithic age, but it was in the Middle Ages that the strategic value of its unique geographic position was realised, sheltering the citadel, on the summit of Mount San Biagio, from the ceaseless raids that followed for several centuries. The new town of Maratea was born where it stands today, on the side of the mountain facing the sea, a more convenient location for an economy based on maritime trade.

After centuries of Spanish, Austrian and Bourbon domination, Maratea found itself caught up in the French invasion of the Kingdom of Naples, in what is remembered today as the siege of Maratea. After six long days, in December 1806, the French took control of the city, largely consolidating its commercial fortunes and strategic importance throughout the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and during the Italian Renaissance as a seaport and producer of wine, oil and wool.

Maratea is a town full of iconic places, sights to admire and caves to explore. It is easy to lose yourself strolling through the alleys of the old town and the churches scattered throughout the city. We’re here to do the hard work for you, picking out some must-sees among the many sites and monuments for first-time visitors.

Maratea's black beach is dazzling, located in San Giuseppe, near the Marina di Maratea hamlet. Unique among all other beaches on the coast, this beach has a charming, little-known cave, the Grotta della Sciabella.

It is the Grotta delle Meraviglie, however, that leaves all who visit speechless. Only discovered in 1929, this “cave of wonders” consists of a large chamber 70 metres long by 20 metres wide, making it the smallest tourist cave in Italy.

There were many years (from '90 to 2000 more or less) where the houses were very connected and we had parties every night in a different house.

We even set up a cooking competition (I dare say official/institutional and rather recognized in the Maratea area!), with the winner of the best dish each year!

Unfortunately many of them are in heaven now, but the new generations of sons and nephews are trying to maintain as much as possible the tradition and history of this place that has made them dream for 30 years.