Historic Hotel
Summary of reviews related to the 'Historic' categoryThe Hotel Palazzo Murat is a stunning, historic building that is truly a sum of its history. It boasts a beautiful combination of historic architecture with modern decor elements that make for a deliziosamente retrò stay. From the garden view, you can see incredible lemon trees and shrubs with old creeping vines wrapped around the balconies, which gives the property a very beautiful old-world look. This building has a fantastic old palace that exudes a sense of historical significance with its geschichtsträchtige Liegenschaft and suggestive vestigia. It is no wonder that guests describe it as a palazzo storico and antica residenza with one reviewer even stating it is A palace from the early 19th century that has a beautiful history. Come and stay at the Hotel Palazzo Murat, where you can soak up all the historic charm of this stunning property.
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Year erected: 1750
What is the history of the property?
The Palazzo Murat is an elegant hotel created from the restoration of an eighteenth century palace in the style of Neapolitan baroque Vanvitelli’s school, exalting the old structures and objects of that period that enrich the interior. The precious decor, the period furniture and the magnificent location makes this Palace a unique place in the world.
It owes its name to the expropriation order by former King of Naples (1808-1815) who made it his residence for his secret encounters away from the eyes of his wife Carolina Bonaparte, Napoleon's sister.
It is difficult to find tracks from the fall of French domination to the rise of the Bourbons. Towards the end of the century, the property fell into neglect, and was divided into different lots belonging to various families of the town..
At the beginning of the twentieth century after World War I Positano also experienced the epic of migration: they lived on fishing and agriculture, the standard of living was very low, the area did not offer great opportunities, arable land were few and inaccessible. For this reason it was created in the habit of many families, consisting of at least 10 children, that the eldest of the children would stay and help with the work, whilst the younger children were forced to emigrate. The most popular destination was the United States, at the time in strong growth, offering work and dreams. Positanesi at the beginning were grateful for the most menial jobs, and then grow to create their own business, but they never forgot their origins, born in fact, "Little Positano", the 35th Street, in NY, and for years these Positanesi of America have supported Positano economically even being so far away.
The history of Positano had a profound change during the Second World War: with the allied army halted for months by the Germans at Cassino, Positano became the "Resting House" for the Anglo-American officers, General Clark seizes the Hotel Miramare making it his headquarters. All officers who have stayed in Positano, become the promoters of the Amalfi Coast in the world, so to start the tourist vocation of Positano.
Meanwhile, migrants are beginning to invest in their country of origin thanks to the boom in American economic, and also for the Palazzo Murat it was the same fate. The ancestors of the present owners, the Family Attanasio, starting with Alfonso Cinque, the father of the mythical Donna Carmela, is among the first to believe in the tourism of Positano, and invests all his savings to purchase the property, his son "Carlino" the founder of the "San Pietro Hotel" significantly contributed to the making of Positano one of the most appreciated places in the world.
Has restoration work taken place?
every year
Are there any important guests or previous owners worth mentioning?
JOACHIM MURAT'S LIFE
Joachim signed on with the army in 1787. He was smart and courageous. He came to Napoleon's attention in 1795 when they put down a rebellion of anti-royalists in Paris.
He later fought with Napoleon in Italy and Egypt. Joachim was also actively involved in the coup d'etat that put Napoleon into power. Napoleon thought he'd better keep the loyal ones close, and so he married Joachim to his sister Caroline. That was in the year 1800.
Joachim went on fighting in important battles, such as the Battle of Marengo. Napoleon was very pleased with the boy and made him grand duke of Berg and Cleves and also sent him to Spain as lieutenant. Having arrived in Spain, ambitious Joachim thought it was a pity that the Spanish throne was vacant and tried to sit on it. But the find something else he could dream about. Later Napoleon put his brother Joseph, who was previously king of Naples, on the Spanish throne. Knowing about Joachim's fondness of sitting on thrones, Napoleon made Joachim king of Naples. That was in the year 1808 and Joachim loved it. Napoleon called him Joachim-Napoléon, which would be Gioacchino-Napoleone in Italian, but the Italians kept calling him Gioacchino Murat. As king of Naples Joachim did a decent job. Among other things, he set up the Napoleonic Code and strengthened the economy. He continued his life as a solider but that worked only for a time. On the retreat from Moscow he simply abandoned his troops and hastened home because he felt his kingdom of Naples was in danger. Joachim then got caught up in the middle of European politics. Napoleon's enemies courted Joachim Murat as a potential ally. In effect, Joachim didn't know whose side he should be on. And that got him killed. The Austrians sacked Naples and Joachim fled to Corsica. He tried to come back to Naples but got arrested and shot.
Would you describe your property as (or has it ever been in the past) a: Palace
