THE RESTORATION PROJECT

The Santo Cotrubbo Tower, located in the municipality of Sannicola (LE), represents a valuable historical and architectural testimony. Built between 1500 and 1600, the tower is the last vestige of an ancient complex, originally intended for the defense of the Salento territory and later for agricultural and pastoral management. The traces visible on its facades tell a long history of rural use, closely linked to the cultivation and pastoral activities of the area.

Analysis of surviving architectural elements, such as ancient rooms and roofs, highlights the historical layering of the site, which has been modified over the centuries according to agricultural needs. The facades of the tower reveal signs of remodeling, such as remnants of barrel and star vaults, while carparo stone ashlars still found in the surroundings confirm the original size of the outbuildings.

Historical-archival research has further reinforced the historical importance of the property. Documents attest to a change of ownership of the tower as early as 1845, when it was purchased by the Diocesan Seminary of Gallipoli. Subsequent notarial deeds describe the building as a “rural building,” intended for agricultural and pastoral purposes, with references to stables, ovens and other structures typical of masserie farms of the period. As early as 1887, the tower was described as “very old,” but it still retains important elements of the past, including a well, a pile of cloth, and ancient dry stone walls.

Structurally, the tower has two floors, connected by an internal staircase carved into the thickness of the walls. The visible machicolations confirm the original defensive function, while the stone and tuff masonry is now severely degraded, mainly due to prolonged exposure to weathering. The interior, though simple, retains fine details such as a stone fireplace, wall niches, and a vault decorated with stucco in the upper floor.

The building, which has been in a state of neglect since the 19th century, was acquired in a condition of serious disrepair. The masonry, exposed to weathering for decades, has deteriorated to such an extent that the stability of the entire structure is at risk. Surveys using BIM models revealed serious structural problems, including poor mechanical strength of masonry, widespread cracking, and six types of deterioration, including plaster detachments, invasive vegetation, and fractures in walls.

 

The restoration project, carefully supervised by Studio Macagnano, was created with the aim of preserving this important historical and cultural heritage, harmonizing the elegance of the past with modern minimalism. The intervention was dictated not only by the urgency of ensuring structural stability, but also by the desire to safeguard a historic symbol that tells the agricultural and social identity of the Sannicola area.

The restoration of the Santo Cotrubbo Tower was an ambitious project, combining modern functionality and respect for the past. Through careful structural interventions and targeted cultural initiatives, the tower has been transformed into a living symbol of local rural history, offering visitors an authentic experience. In addition to reviving a valuable architectural monument, the project contributes to the promotion of the area, its traditions and products, with a view to sustainability and respect for the environment.