Monopoli, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Masseria Cavallerizza Piccola, built on the orders of Alfonso of Aragon between 1495 and 1530, during the period of Venetian domination, it was built with the main aim of starting a important horse breeding, much requested by the Serenissima Republic of Venice for its army: the well-known one was born from the cross of local and Arab horses Apulian morello, a breed that was well suited to battle, from which the property that comes up for sale on the market takes its name. The Masseria remained a barony of Venice in the possession of Monopoli until 1530, when the city was, by treaty, ceded by the Venetians to the Spanish. Charles V of Habsburg, King of Spain, Archduke of Austria and Sovereign of the Netherlands, therefore tried to enfeoff it and transform it into a Barony or Marquisate, but this attempt was thwarted by the determined opposition of the Monopoli's people who wanted to redeem himself, mainly women of Monopoli, who decided, in fact, to buy back their city and their freedom, paying to the Emperor 51,000 gold ducats which were collected by the women of Monopoli who deprived themselves of their family gold to return free from Spanish domination. The Monopolitan Ransom had wide resonance at the time because it is said that the Monopolitans, with a surge of pride, collected those gold ducats in the public square to defend nothing other than their own independence and autonomy. It was an era of foreign domination but also of great pride and wealth for the City of Monopoli which had in the meantime become a very important commercial town as well as the only port considered safe between Bari and Brindisi. Masseria Cavallerizza Piccola recalls today, almost 6 centuries later, the vestiges of great importance that the Republic of Venice attributed to the breeding of battle horses in the Monopoli countryside. Today the building, privately owned and considered of great historical and architectural interest, is in good structural condition and represents a splendid opportunity for anyone wishing to restore it to its former glory, also taking advantage of important EEC contributions for its restoration and/or its transformation into a luxury accommodation facility. With its 1,000 covered square meters and 37 hectares of land, including arable land, woods and vineyards, Masseria Cavallerizza Piccola lends itself to a conservative restoration that brings to light the great importance it has had over the last 6 centuries: 600 years of history, agriculture, livestock and great economic visibility that can still be perceived today when visiting the structure. Masseria Cavallerizza consists of a noble palace, entirely built in stone on two levels, facing south, with a total surface area of approximately 550 m2, to which are added adjacent on three sides, with the exception of the main façade, as many square meters of those in ancient times they were the breeding stables for war horses and the homes of the farmers and workers who lived and worked on the Cavallerizza estate. In front of the main building we find a huge embankment that dominates the entire valley below and the Pirro Canal, with its vineyards and woods. The entire property is currently entirely fenced and under video surveillance to preserve its beauty and architectural peculiarities. The property is being sold today with a conservative restoration project already approved and available for the start of work, so the buyer will not need to follow the long process necessary to obtain approval of the restoration project. All documentation is available and will be delivered upon request following a visit to the property.