Castle Elvira’s sister residence, Tower Elvira, has opened in Puglia, offering guests the chance to stay in an 18th-century fort with panoramic views. Jenny Southan reports
Following an ambitious restoration project, Tower Elvira has opened in Puglia, Italy. Set on St Elia Ridge, the former lookout tower for the Saint Elia Monastery provides sweeping views of citrus groves, private parkland, a 40 sqm swimming pool with colonnaded sun loungers and sister residence, Castle Elvira.
Additionally the suites features a two-person, hand-carved, sandstone bathtubs within the private garden (Agave suite) or extra-large en suite (Pepper suite). The split level Agave suite, with its own lounge area with open fireplace, is suitable for up to three guests.
Guests can also book cooking and portrait classes.
In an effort to preserve nature in the estate and local area, Riseley has invested in the preservation and potential cure of the estates 500 olive trees, suffering the ravages of the xylella bacterial disease, which has hit the entire region, destroying thousands of trees.
This remarkable new scientific effort is showing great promise and could potentially save some of Puglia’s most ancient trees. Additionally, Riseley and his team have put huge efforts into the revival of the 50-tree citrus orchard, with its lemons, limes and mandarins.