Maison Manara, a family home in the Salento, designed for vita lenta

In Castiglione d’Otranto, the project by Clara and Mikka Rocchia brings together hospitality, everyday life and a concrete idea of sharing.

In Castiglione d’Otranto, south of Lecce, in an inland landscape dotted with olive groves, Maison Manara was born almost by chance, but soon became a life project and a family story, now opening its doors to those who wish to immerse themselves in Salento’s vita lenta.

«If Maison Manara were a feeling, it would be a moment of togetherness. A time to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters», say Clara and Mikka Rocchia, owners of the house, describing its truest essence.

And it is no coincidence, they explain, that Maison Manara is first and foremost a family project, imagined for their three children: «It was a long-held dream, one we never truly believed we would be able to realise at that moment in our lives», they continue. «With three children and a strong love for travel, we designed the house to be deeply suited to family life, so that families could feel instantly at home».

Photo credits Valentina Sergi

A project born almost by chance when, due to Covid restrictions, a planned trip to Canada turned into a journey to the Salento: «we first arrived in the Salento when our twins were one year old, and our eldest was six», they explain. «Because of Covid restrictions, we were unable to leave Europe and ended up almost by chance in Puglia. From the moment we arrived, what struck us most was the sense of calm. In the Salento, people speak of vita lenta, and that is exactly what we felt: a slower relationship with time, landscapes of coves and turquoise-water beaches, an authentic culinary culture, and a region deeply designed for families. Very quickly, we felt we were exactly where we were meant to be».

Conceived as a family refuge, the house is built around an above-ground pool, which becomes its central core, a place where people gather and spend time together during the long summers of southern Italy.

Photo credits Valentina Sergi

But while Maison Manara appears almost monastic from the outside, in keeping with the region’s architecture, once inside it conveys a sense of vitality and warmth. A real, lived-in home, where Salento’s restraint meets the family’s eclectic spirit without friction: «we were not looking for cold perfection, but for a living home. The decor is intentional, and the house has a lived-in atmosphere, allowing guests to truly make it their own», the couple explain. «What immediately struck us was the soul of the house. We kept some original furniture pieces, including the wardrobes, and enhanced their almost monastic character through architectural elements such as the star-vaulted ceilings typical of the Salento, while preserving original materials like brown tiles and granito floors». Personal touches referencing contemporary European design are also present, with pieces brought from Paris that create a natural balance between authenticity and modernity.

Maison Manara is designed to be both beautiful and highly functional, allowing guests to truly live in the house and immerse themselves in Salento’s vita lenta from the moment they step inside, a shift in pace that happens as soon as they cross the threshold.

But the Maison, in the fullest sense of the word, goes beyond all this. From the very beginning, the project has also been driven by a strong desire to share, as Rocchia explains: «Maison Manara goes far beyond a simple rental. Much of its warmth also comes from the village and its inhabitants, who are an essential part of the experience. Despite the language barrier, connections are simple and deeply human».

Castiglione itself becomes a natural extension of the Maison, thanks to a guide made available to guests, allowing them to experience its most authentic side: «we have been building it for over four years, and it includes only authentic addresses, far from the beaten track, to offer a personal and authentic view of the Salento». Intentionally kept private, the Maison Manara's Guide is shared exclusively with guests, helping them feel immediately at home while also on holiday from the very first moment.

And in the end, this is exactly what Maison Manara is: a home that evokes a sense of family, a universal and extended family rooted in being together, slowing down and sharing meaningful time. With a careful eye for aesthetics and beauty, without losing sight of the real needs of those who wish to enjoy vita lenta in good company.

And when it comes to the future, Clara and Mikka Rocchia are clear: «Maison Manara will always remain at the heart of our family. It is a house we will never sell. If something were to evolve, it would be elsewhere in the Salento. Perhaps one day, a guesthouse to extend this experience of sharing».