Villa Sticchi, Comune di Santa Cesarea Terme. (LE) Puglia, Italy (Nov 4, 2011) ©2011 Rebecca Dru Photography All Rights Reserved www.rebeccadru.com www.facebook.com/rebeccadruphotography www.twitter.com/rebeccadru www.flickr.com/rebeccadru www.instagram.com/rebeccadrufoto Note: Situated on the coast at the beginning of the Otranto canal on a terrace of the coast which comes down to the sea. An ancient local legend claims that the area got its name because a young woman called Cisaria fled from her abusive father and hiding in one of the many grottos, lost her life when she slipped and fell into the hot waters below, an alternative version of the legend claims that it was the pursuing father who slipped and died. NOTE: The villa, built in the late 1890's, is one of the most famous expressions of the Moresque style, which was widespread in the 19th Century in the affluent seaside resorts of the Salento. It was built at the behest of Giovanni Pasca, the first concessionaire of the Santa Cesarea thermal baths, between 1894 and 1900. The site is 20 metres above sea level on a rock spur visitble from a great distance along the coast. The work was entrusted to Pasquale Ruggieri (1866-1924) who had a passion for the east and had made various tripst ot Egypt. On the outside the structure is surrounded on the three sides by a colonnade with arches resting on twisted columns. The façade is on two levels, connected by a double flight of stairs cluminating in a big loggia with a mullioned three-light window. Delicate carvings in Lecce stone, done by skilled local craftsmen, embellish doors and windows while the paintings in white, blue and red with arabesques, stars and floral motifs have almost entirely faded from view. The big dome was accompanied by four smaller ones over the corner towers. The external covering of the dome shows geometrical motifs done with reflecting plaster, according to the dictates of Islamic architecture.
11 days in Puglia with Bec and Jami Cakes...contining to Gallipoli. We came across this little ghost town and decided to make a quick stop. I had noticed the church...and wanted to capture a shot of the brass doors. I also thought it was the perfect place to get Jami driving a stick shift since the streets were empty...but it was getting dark...we were a bit tired and hungry and it was time to move on...after a few more shots... Puglia, Italy (Nov 4, 2011) ©2011 Rebecca Dru Photography/Jami Cakes® All Rights Reserved www.rebeccadru.com www.flickr.com/rebeccadru www.twitter.com/rebeccadru www.facebook.com/rebeccadruphotography www.instagram.com/rebeccadru www.jamicakes.com
