The Origins and Family History
We are twins Giacomo and Vittorio Muratore, and we want to share how a great family history became the foundation of a fairy-tale stay. Dimora Storica Muratore has always belonged to our family. We are the third generation of the Muratore family, but its roots go back even further in time.
Villa Rosaria: The Beginning of It All
“Villa Rosaria” – this was the original name of the villa – was built in the late 19th century at the request of landowner Rocco Chillino, in honor of his wife, Rosaria. She was both the sister of his mother and the stepmother—meant in the most positive sense—of our grandmother Maria Rosaria Stoja (whom we called Nonna Ciacia). Orphaned at a young age, she inherited the Dimora, marking the beginning of our family’s deep connection to this splendid villa.
The First Generation of Muratore
Our grandmother Maria Rosaria married Filippo Muratore, originally from Sicily (Leonforte, in the province of Enna, to be precise), a distinguished physician, and together they moved into the Dimora. Grandfather Filippo, the first Muratore generation to live in the villa, had his medical practice on the ground floor, while he and his wife lived on the upper floor with their four children: our father Maurizio, and our three uncles Orazio (known as Rory), Lionello, and Massimo. Then, as now, the house was a place of great elegance and vitality, a reference point for both the family and the Lecce community.
A Center of Family Life
After the passing of our grandfather Filippo, who left us when we were about a year old, the ground floor remained a vital center for the family: the medical practice was passed on to his children, who followed in their father’s footsteps with great passion. The Dimora continued to be the beating heart of our family, a place of warmth and tradition that carried deep values alongside its fascinating history. We will always treasure the memory of those long Sunday lunches with our extended family.
Renewal and Continuity
Maurizio Muratore, one of Filippo’s sons and our father, the second Muratore generation, is the current custodian and owner of the Dimora. Along with our mother, Rosachiara Forcignanò, originally from Cavallino, a town near Lecce, and also a doctor, he undertook a long restoration process that preserved the villa’s authenticity while enhancing it with modern touches in perfect harmony with its historic charm.
The Dimora Today
Today, on the upper floor of the Dimora live Maurizio, Rosachiara, and one of us, Vittorio, along with two inseparable four-legged friends: Chapeau, an elegant German Shepherd, and Rhum, a lively Brittany Spaniel who has quickly become the mascot of the Dimora. The ground floor, however, was immediately adapted to welcome guests into an exclusive and refined environment, reflecting our family’s innate vision and sense of hospitality. Meanwhile, the beautifully restored garden now features a swimming pool in perfect harmony with the surroundings.
A Vision for the Future
Our family has opened—indeed, flung open—the doors of our home. With the support of a passionate team that has become an integral part of the family, we ensure every guest enjoys an experience that blends the warmth of family tradition with impeccable service, in a unique setting, making every stay unforgettable.
Today, we manage just a few exclusive rooms with an unwavering focus on guest experience. Our mission is to create a special atmosphere that combines beauty with well-being. We believe that Dimora Muratore holds a special place among Lecce’s historic villas and hotels because it offers something entirely different: preserving the soul and essence that have always defined it, rather than succumbing to the uncontrolled real estate market that often strips properties like this of their personality for mere tourism business.
Dimora Storica Muratore is not just a place to stay—it is a home that lives and tells a story: the story of a family that, by its very nature, welcomes guests with warmth, elegance, and tradition. My brother and I want to continue writing our family’s story, looking toward the future while staying firmly rooted in our heritage. Those who visit this home can feel firsthand the certainties that define our family: the beauty of hospitality and the purest form of sharing what nurtures the soul.
The Fourth Generation
In December 2023, our family celebrated the birth of the fourth Muratore generation: Maurizio Filippo, Giacomo’s son, who proudly carries the names of his grandfather and great-grandfather, continuing our family legacy.
