Description

Villa Palazzo del Diavolo – House Scherillo Pitotti - is a prestigious comfortable building with baroque XVII century décor including large windows framed with sculptured local stone, situated in the middle of Parabita’s historic town center. All rooms have either star vaulted or barrel vaulted ceilings. The building, which went through a careful and 'philological' renovation in 2013, is tastefully furnished with modern-antiques quality furniture. Free car parking nearby. Plus an own property garage suitable for two compact cars.
At the center of an area of great historical and artistic interest, 25 minutes away from the intense turquoise Ionian sea and the beaches, pine forest, dunes and wild rocky coast of the Regional Natural Park of Punta Pizzo and Isola di Sant'Andrea. The Adriatic seaside is also within driving distance (about 40 minutes transfer).
In addition to the coast, from Palazzo del Diavolo you can easily reach the main attractions of Salento: from the most popular to the most refined and secret ones (Lecce, Galatina, Nardò, Santa Maria di Leuca, Porto Selvaggio, Santa Cesarea Terme, Otranto, to mention only a few).

Palazzo del Diavolo is ideal for planning a different and amazing itinerary for every day. Itineraries tailored to your desires and needs can be developed with the assistance of our TOURIST PERSONAL ADVISOR at no extra charge.

All the rooms have Wi-Fi links and independent air-conditioning units (for air conditioning and heating).

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THE PREMISES

The large wooden doorway on the Ramis street leads to the central courtyard which has, on the left, the entrance to "Il Patio" and, in front, that of the ground floor kitchen. On the right, a large staircase gives access to "La Torre" at the Mezzanine floor preceded by a terrace where you can comfortably sit to chat and have a drink.
A narrower staircase leads from the mezzanine to the first floor where, crossing a large terrace, you can enter into "The terraces." Where from you can as well reach the roof terrace which offers a pleasant view over the surrounding area.

The property has a 3 modules structure**:

• THE TOWER - hosts up to 7 people - Master apartment. Including: 1 double bedroom, 2 twin bed mezzanines, one single bed mezzanine for a total of 5 beds, 4 bathrooms, large living-dining-kitchen room with adjoining attic, large reception room, laundry, small courtyard with aromatic herbs and a terrace suited for outdoor dining.

• THE PATIO* - hosts up to 4 people - Two rooms Ground Floor apartment (double bedroom + reception and dining room with sofa bed + bathroom).

• THE TERRACES* - hosts 2 people - Mini apartment with double bedroom, bathroom and large terrace. Free access to the roof terrace.

* Use of kitchen and laundry located on the ground floor included.
** This structure is very comfortable both for spending time together and for enjoying your privacy alone. Each module can be also rented separately. If you interested please take a look at the specific posts in

The property also features:
THE TAVERN - A large multifunctional 90 sqm vaulted studio with 3 bathrooms and adjoining large "livable" underground cistern "space". Available upon request.

Thanks to this studio, the property can perfectly fit with the needs for group and workshop activities such as meditation or body exercises or creative writing, painting, photography, or any other wellness or cultural program.
For larger groups, additional B&B facilities are available nearby.

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SPECIAL FEATURES

WHY IS IT CALLED "PALAZZO DEL DIAVOLO"?
Local tradition has the name connected to an event in its construction: several times, the corner linking the two arms of the balcony surrounding the entire building might have collapsed, despite it being supported. When someone observed that it could be “opera tu tiaulu” (made by the devil), the decision to represent the mask of the devil on one of the brackets, the one in the corner, would definitively resolve the question. Following this event, people began to believe that there was something mysterious about the building.
In reality, it is possible that the name derives from the numerous representations of similar demons that are found at different points on the window cornices and the main door of the building. The origin of these depictions is not clear, but they have the esoteric and apotropaic (against the evil eye) features that recall those of the castles of Frederick II in Apulia, and other constructions in various areas of Italy.

THE GUARD WALKWAY
Over the main entrance the palace features the unique characteristics guard walkway called "Mignano".

RESTORATION
This was carried out in 2011-2013 by Impresa Leopizzi 1750 of Parabita (a family company that has worked for twelve generations in construction the sector of building and in the restoration of monuments). Architect: Corrado Cazzato of Presicce. The restoration followed rigorous philological and conservation criteria preserving the original walls, the general layout and the typical architectural elements: the vaulting and the use of local stones (carparo and Lecce stone).

FURNITURE AND FURNISHINGS
High-quality furniture and furnishings mostly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some comes from Friuli (North-East Italy), among them we note the Specchiera consolle impero (early nineteenth century console with a large wall mirror) in the dining and sitting room of the Tower. This piece, which comes from the Great Hall of the Pitotti family home (now Antiquarium) in Povoletto (Udine, North-East Italy), has survived the two XX century world wars during which the house was requisitioned by the local command of the occupation troops.
There are two important original engravings, both from the eighteenth century: a map of the Kingdom of Naples, where also the town of Parabita can be recognized; and a map of the Republic of Venice.
With the help of the owners, it is possible to retrace the origin of various pieces of furniture through the events of family life.