History & Chronicle
Experience history in a 17th Century Palace
1682 | Bernardo Massella, Mayor of Poschiavo, constructs his palace on the town square |
1742 | Birth of Thomas Maria de Bassus, Baron de Bassus |
1766 | The Baron de Bassus marries Cecila Domenica Massella (niece of Bernardo Massella) and moves into her palace on the town square |
The palace becomes famous as a meeting point of the Illuminati (an Enlightenment-era secret society) and a centre for political discussion and music | |
1780 | A printing press was installed in the building |
1782 | The first Italian translation of Goethe’s “Werther” was printed in the building. Many works by Enlightenment era authors and the Illuminati are also printed during these years |
1787-1788 | The composer Johann Simon Mayr lives in the palace as a guest of the Baron de Bassus |
1794 | After the death of his wife, the Baron de Bassus moves to Germany where his son is living |
1815 | The Baron de Bassus dies in Ingolstadt (Germany) |
1828 | The Baron de Bassus’ son sells the palace to the Albrici family |
1848 | The palace is remodelled into a hotel. The building’s architecture and details remain intact |
Since 1848 | The remodelled palace opens as the first hotel in Poschiavo |
September 1896 | The Italian writer and poet Giosuè Carducci is a guest in the hotel |
2004 | The Albrici family sells the hotel to the Zanolari family |
2004 | The hotel becomes a member of the SWISS HISTORIC HOTELS association |
2005 | Minor renovations to interior spaces and preservation of historic first floor rooms |
November 2011 | The second floor guest room are renovated to provide full comfort amid the historic setting and antique furniture |
November 2017 | Andrea Rera takes over the management of the hotel. |