Palazzo Margherita, built in 1892 in Bernalda by the Margherita family, is a true 19th century palazzo. The town was the birthplace and home to Agostino Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola';s grandfather, who always referred to it affectionately as "Bernalda bella." Francis purchased the Palazzo in 2004 with the desire to transform it into a small, luxurious hotel, believing it was time to introduce visitors to this stunning and still undiscovered region.
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Nestled between the ancient cities of Metapontum and Matera, the area is rich with history, including haunting primordial cave dwellings called Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Location Palazzo Margherita is situated in Bernalda. Located in the province of Matera, which is famous for its ancient cave dwellings, historic houses and unspoiled villages, Bernalda is relatively unknown to tourists. It is just twenty minutes from numerous pristine, white-sand beaches. While the nearby region of Puglia has become popular for sightseeing, Bernalda is one of a few beautiful towns where the food and wine have remained authentic and untouched by mass tourism.
The opulent salon is during the day, a place for reading, playing cards, enjoying afternoon tea and drinks; at night, it becomes a cinema, equipped with professional-quality sound and projection, and a vast database of movies, including Francis's personally-curated collection of Italian classics.
Hidden at the far end of the gardens, our swimming pool is generously proportioned and intended for family enjoyment, with bathrooms, showers, cabins for changing, and full bar and food service.
One of the Palazzo's most magical features is its large private garden, fully enclosed and maintained with a focus on historic preservation. Built around a baroque fountain, the garden extends through a web of secret pathways, natural arbors, allées of fruit trees and fertile beds of herbs, citrus trees and organic vegetables, all of which supply our kitchen.
Dining Eat-in Kitchen - In the Palazzo's large, welcoming kitchen, only our guests can experience firsthand the traditional cooking of Basilicata (also known as Lucania). For keen cooks, our local chef provide hands-on classes demonstrating how to prepare typical regional dishes.
Cinecitta Bar - At the front of the Palazzo, the Cinecittà Bar is a traditional café and pizzeria that spills out onto Bernalda's main street and looks onto the town square. It is a perfect spot for people-watching, mingling with the local life and sipping our delicious Italian coffee.
Family Bar - The Family Bar is an intimate private bar and dining room where only our hotel guests can enjoy coffee or meals throughout the day, and pre-dinner cocktails and appetizers in the evenings.
Pool Bar - The Pool Bar is located in our garden and offers a selection of wine, cocktails and other beverages to enjoy while relaxing in the sun. Food from our main kitchen can also be ordered.
