Casale San MARTINO

The farmhouse of San Martino (and the legend of the treasure) 1st part On the Giovinazzo-Terlizzi provincial road, on the border between the territory of the municipalities of Giovinazzo and Bitonto, the ancient and majestic Casale di San Martino stands out in the green expanse of hanging olive trees. Presumably built on an existing and older structure, the farmhouse of San Martino can be dated to around the 11th century. A large arched entrance leads to the whole of the complex, so imposing for its considerable size, arranged as it is around a rectangular courtyard with high walls. Inside, in addition to various lodgings, there are numerous rooms, including a large kitchen with a fireplace and a well, a large stable with a manger and a drinking trough, a quadrangular basement tower surmounted by a beautiful dovecote, and a small church in which in ancient times it was possible to admire a beautiful altar dedicated to the saint Martino, currently destroyed. This religious structure is formed by a single nave, and is characterized by the classic small bell gable, plus a small window that serves as a light point and a small entrance framed by stone jambs. It was built in 1124, on the border between the territories of Bitonto and Giovinazzo so as to mark the boundaries. In fact in 1265, in its immediate vicinity, it was placed just a territorial boundary stone. Documented in various acts (Carte Martucci Zecca, Red Book of the University of Bitonto, Book of the appraisal, Book of remedies, etc.), the church is identified gradually with the name of St. Martin «de Silvis», «de Villa »,« de Murisciano »,« de Morigiano »,« de Bruscianis ». In 1523, it is recorded that the "Notaro Pietro et Cola de Ildaris give to D. Geronimo Scaragio certain machiose lands and seedlings with a well inside S. Martino de Murisciano", placing the farmhouse on the street "del monte in Jovenacio". Next to San Martino, in the fifteenth century, the summer residence of the bishop of Giovinazzo arose, which exploited the elevated position of the farmhouse and its strategic point, which enjoyed an excellent view over the whole surrounding territory. By deed of the notary Francesco De Angeli, of 10 December 1555, the noble Giovinazzese Giacomo Zurlo, dwelling in Naples, left the bishop of Giovinazzo Mons. Bricianos de Ribera, related to the Emperor Charles V, "lands, swimming pool, buildings, S. Martino church, San Martino tower and others, in exchange for annual suffrages for his soul and his family". According to some local historians, the bishop, Msgr. Bricianos, in 1560, after having participated in the Council of Trent, transformed the building into a comfortable villa. In 1611, another prelate, Msgr. Bishop Masi made other improvements to the building, adorning the entrance with his own coat of arms (now stolen). Bishop Costantini then, in 1840, carried out restoration work. In the 16th century, many rich Jews took refuge in this area, preferring the lookout towers, considered safer by the fierce pirate attacks. In fact, in anticipation of unexpected raids, they hid their precious objects in unthinkable hiding places. In those years various hamlets were unfortunately overwhelmed by the assailants, who slaughtered the Jews who had taken refuge there, thus losing, forever, the memory of these rich secret closets. Some popular legends tell of fabulous finds, cases filled with treasures hidden by those Semites, found by peasants inside the abandoned towers (tower "Cascione", "Cela", "Cappavecchia", etc.).

Well FAI