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In the heart of Italy’s Puglia region lies a story of rebirth and refined design. Architect Paolo Colombo unveils the journey of transforming two ancient trulli into Villa Pamina and Villa Damarice—authentic holiday properties where silence, nature, and beauty coexist in harmony. Discover how these Italian villas with pools offer one of the best places to stay in Puglia for a tranquil and immersive experience.
I am Paolo Colombo, architect and founder of an international company operating across Europe, Asia, America, and the Middle East. Our team consists of professionals from various disciplines, and we collaborate with over thirty specialised firms, which allows us to approach each project with a global, integrated vision. We work in fields ranging from architecture and interior design to branded real estate, product design, hospitality management, and property investments. Each project we undertake stems from a desire to tell a story, to create spaces that improve people’s lives—not just through their functionality or aesthetics, but through the emotions they evoke. Our villas embody this philosophy: an intimate refuge where beauty is silent, materials are alive, and architecture serves the soul.
The Valle d’Itria area moves at a slower, more genuine rhythm. I chose Cisternino because it speaks the language of authenticity: the light that transforms the stone, the fragrances rising from the land, the sound of the wind through the olive trees. It was the perfect place to create something not just beautiful, but meaningful. It is here, within the charm of the trulli and nearby Ceglie Messapica, where the soul of Puglia reveals itself through ancient dry stone huts and structures that carry the weight of history.
Our concept was born from a gesture of listening. Two abandoned trulli, deep in the heart of the Puglian countryside, made their way into my consciousness with the force of forgotten things. We brought them back to life with respect and vision, stone by stone, light by light, transforming them into an immersive experience, blending memory and modernity. The conical roofs of the trulli are a testament to the ancient pre-historic building technique unique to this region. That’s how Villa Pamina and Villa Damarice came to be.
The idea was to give the materials their own voice, allowing natural light, local stone, silence, and air to guide the design. The interiors strike a delicate balance between rigour and warmth, craftsmanship and design, simplicity and exploration. This style of construction was conceived to embrace, without ever overwhelming. The doorways frame the view, and the stone buildings offer the same timeless charm as the traditional trullo structures found throughout the region.
A discreet luxury, measured not by material objects but by the sensory experience. Villa Pamina and Villa Damarice are places where time slows down, where one can breathe deeply, savour each moment, and experience the beauty of nature. Our trulli reflect an idea of wellbeing that begins with silence, a connection to the earth, and refined simplicity. The villas embody a sense of timelessness, echoing the traditions of the Monti district and the authenticity of the region.
Its ability to be forgotten as an object and remembered as a sensation. Our concept is not just a structure; it is a state of mind. It’s a place where one arrives by chance and returns by choice, where architecture fades away to leave space for emotion. Here, guests experience the essence of Salento, where every element, from the Christian symbols embedded in the region’s stone buildings to the vast landscapes, offers a deeply immersive experience.
Intimate, suspended, essential. An atmosphere that caresses, never imposes. Villa Pamina and Villa Damarice are made of soft light and deep silences, shadows that dance on ancient walls, days that pass without the need to be filled. The atmosphere is akin to the Casa d’Amore, where every stone tells a story of agricultural labourers and the quiet resilience of the land.
The saltwater pool at sunset, framed by ancient olive trees. It’s a natural stage where the light changes with every passing evening. But also the outdoor kitchen, where every meal becomes a profoundly Mediterranean ritual. From this point, you can almost hear the symbols of Puglia—the essence of the land itself.
That I’ve given shape to an idea of beauty that needs no explanation. This is a place that doesn’t show itself, it’s something you discover. And every person who enters it leaves something of themselves, enriching its soul. Much like the trullo sovrano—a true icon of the region’s rural heritage—it is a place where form and function meet in the most harmonious way.
Each member of the team is a ‘facilitator’: authentic, highly professional individuals with deep empathy, able to anticipate guests’ desires and transform each gesture into a unique experience. With discretion and care, they guide guests through their stay, creating an atmosphere of total comfort and serenity. They know the territory as if it were their own, and are capable of offering tailored suggestions and experiences.
Every day, our organic garden provides its freshest produce for a breakfast that celebrates the authenticity of the land. Additionally, for those seeking personalised experiences, the villa offers an exclusive range of services: private chefs for meals under the olive trees, sunset yoga sessions, and holistic treatments for wellbeing of both body and mind. Every detail is designed to offer discreet, authentic luxury, nourishing both the body and the soul in an environment where time stands still and each experience is crafted to measure.
It’s Villanovo’s ability to tell the story of homes as places of the soul, not just luxury properties, that truly appealed to me. Speaking the language of authentic experiences, they’ve managed to highlight Villa Pamina and Villa Damarice without ever distorting it, capturing the essence of what makes them unique. I was looking for a partner who could tell our story with sensitivity, and Villanovo has done this perfectly.
Our guests are attentive, sensitive, and curious individuals, in search of an authentic and transformative experience. Families, couples, creative nomads, lovers of unconventional beauty: travellers who wish to rediscover a slower pace of life, and carry it with them when they return.
Don’t overplan. Leave room for the unexpected, for the wind, for the light. Walk barefoot, savour the details, look at the stars.
The fact that it doesn’t try to please. Puglia is raw, real, and radiant. Its dry stone walls, sun-baked wheat fields, and whitewashed villages suspended in the middle of nowhere. There’s a beauty here that needs no frame, and it stays with you long after you leave.
Villanovo offers a carefully curated selection of luxury villas and trulli in Puglia, some are in the Salento region, some in the province of Bari, and others in Massafra. These properties combine local charm with high-end comfort, featuring private pools, heated pools, house staff, hammams, and expansive gardens. Some villas are housed in traditional trulli, the iconic white limestone dwellings with thick walls that remain cool even in summer. These unique structures—originally built as temporary field shelters or permanent dwellings—reflect the local geology and rural heritage of the region. A few have even been designated as a national monument, with some bearing ancient symbols such as the Christian cross etched onto their roofs. Whether perched in the countryside or offering breathtaking sea views, each villa provides an idyllic escape.
With our concierge service on the ground, we ensure a seamless and bespoke experience tailored to your desires. Whether you wish to enjoy private tours of white-washed villages, or indulge in culinary experiences focused on local produce, every detail of your stay is crafted to perfection. Discover the charm of staying in a restored trullo, where history and luxury meet. In the heart of the Monti district, renowned for its clusters of trulli, you’ll find yourself immersed in a living heritage that spans centuries. Furthermore, to enhance your stay, our personalised travel book—featuring our top restaurant picks, expert tips, and exclusive addresses—will lead you step by step to the region’s finest discoveries.
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