Caves & Cantinas
Working Spaces at the Core of Village Life
Throughout Grottole, hundreds of caves and cantinas are carved directly into rock and earth beneath homes, streets, and terraces. These spaces were not decorative or secondary; they were essential infrastructure in an agricultural village where storage, preservation, and protection of resources were central to everyday life. Their form reflects centuries of adaptation to climate, terrain, and necessity.
Historically, cantinas functioned as working and storage spaces rather than living areas. They were used for wine making and storage, keeping olive oil, storing grains and legumes, housing tools, and holding jars of preserved foods prepared during the harvest season. In earlier periods, animals were also kept in some of these spaces, particularly when protection from weather or theft was needed. Their naturally cool, stable temperatures made them practical long before modern refrigeration or storage systems.
These spaces supported seasonal rhythms. During harvest periods, cantinas became active work areas for processing grapes, storing oil, and organizing supplies that would sustain households through the winter months. They extended the working life of the home beyond the living space above, allowing daily routines and agricultural work to coexist.
It is important to be clear: these caves and cantinas were never intended as modern residences. They lack light, ventilation, and conditions suitable for long-term habitation. Their value lies in their function as spaces of work, storage, and making, not as places to live.
Today, many of these cantinas sit unused as daily life has changed. Yet they remain one of Grottole’s most distinctive and underutilized resources. Their qualities — separation, quiet, thermal stability, and durability — make them well suited for thoughtful contemporary uses that respect their original purpose.
Appropriate modern uses include small-scale wine production and aging, storage and fermentation of preserved foods, workshops for craft or repair, artist studios, writing or research spaces, and areas for focused, uninterrupted work or digital disconnection. These uses align with the original role of cantinas as productive, supportive spaces rather than destinations.
When approached with care, cantinas can once again become active parts of village life. Reusing them thoughtfully allows Grottole to carry forward its working heritage, ensuring these spaces remain functional and meaningful without losing their integrity.
