photo credit: lamaviglia.com
Local newspapers define it as the ‘ionic’ competitor of Borgo Egnazia: it is Masseria La Maviglia, a complex of over 200 hectares, located in Maruggio, in the province of Taranto, which was purchased by the Swiss company Ultimate Collection, led by entrepreneur Nicola Cortese.
The investment is one of those that portends something exceptional: 200 million euros, according to what Corriere del Mezzogiorno reports. The purchase of the land and the farm was concluded for 13 million and the rest will be used for the construction of what, Cortese states in the interview given to the newspaper, “will be among the 10 most beautiful and attractive resorts in the world”. Management will be direct and no partnerships with global chains specializing in the sector are envisaged. The action plan also provides for the employment of 500 direct jobs.
The mega-complex, which stands among orchards and olive groves near Maruggio Beach, will have 70 individual suites, a 20-room hotel, 35 villas, a 5,000 square-meter wellness area, and an 18-hole golf course. Debut in 2027.
Cortese added that Puglia is a region that still preserves authentic traditions and that “the analysis carried out on the reception system in the area highlights a shortage of 1,500 5-star luxury beds, unlike Tuscany and Sicily, where this gap is lower.”
Particular attention will be paid to the golf course which will integrate cultural and landscape elements dating back to the 16th and 18th centuries, including ancient water features, vineyards, olive groves, and different varieties of centuries-old trees, such as cherry, almond, citrus, pomegranate, fig trees.