Villa Sticchi

Villa Sticchi is an eclectic residence on the Adriatic seafront at Santa Cesarea Terme. Its Moorish-inspired design combines a purple dome, a portico on twisted columns and carved Lecce stone, making it one of the town’s most distinctive landmarks.

Why it matters

The villa reflects the growth of Santa Cesarea Terme as a nineteenth-century spa town. Engineer Giovanni Pasca, the first concessionaire for the exploitation of the thermal springs, commissioned the residence in the 1890s. The building’s mix of architectural forms and decorative details reflects the eclectic style that spread through Salento’s coastal resorts.

What to notice

A three-sided portico rests on twisted columns. A double-ramp staircase leads to a broad loggia with three arches. Lecce stone carvings decorate the doors and windows, while the large purple dome dominates the composition. Historical descriptions also record smaller domes above the corner towers and geometric mosaics in the interior.

Context and history

The Ministry of Culture catalogues the villa under eclectic architecture and dates it to 1894; regional and municipal accounts place its construction between 1894 and 1900. Giovanni Pasca commissioned the work, which was entrusted to engineer Pasquale Ruggieri. The villa remains a private residence and is an important architectural landmark of Santa Cesarea Terme.