eng
The Park Hotel San Michele hotel complex stands on the grounds of an old farmstead dating back to the 1800s, located on an estate whose historical name was in fact "San Michele," at that time owned by Baron Pasquale Argentina.In 1899 the farmstead was purchased by the Aquaro brothers, well-known ice merchants at the time, who adapted the property to suit their trade: collecting the snow that fell during the winter season and rolling it into special underground chambers carved into the rock, known as "neviere" (snow pits).
The ice was then sold, chiefly in coastal towns, for the production of ice cream and sorbets, as well as for preparing cold remedies in medicine.The advent of industrial ice production led the Aquaro brothers to convert their business into a farming estate, and the "neviera di San Michele" became a wine-producing establishment until the mid-twentieth century.
In the early 1950s, the transformation of the old farmstead into an elegant Liberty-style villa began, embellished with fine marble and inimitable wrought-iron work by local craftsmen. At the same time, the vineyards were gradually uprooted, making way for the villa's gardens — the same gardens that today form the lush park surrounding the property.
In 1974, after being purchased by Commendatore Martino Semeraro, the historic residence — by then open to the public — soon became a landmark hotel for the area, celebrated above all for its refined cuisine inspired by local tradition and typical products of the region: this is how Park Hotel San Michele was born.
In the early 1980s, the property began to expand, and alongside the now well-known "old wing," the "new wing" of the hotel complex was added, making it one of the leading hospitality hubs in the Valle d'Itria.
