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It has an ancient history whose roots extend into the heart of the mountain.
The Hotel San Francesco al Monte is the result of a project to rehabilitate and convert the left wing of the ancient monastery of Santa Lucia al Monte directed by the architect Luciano Raffin.
The monastery’s dates from the 16th and began with the first single cell that Friar Augustine Miglionico of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, also known as the “Barbanti” for their flowing beards, carved in the side of the hill of San Martino, in an isolated area known as the mountain. Over time, the first cell became the Church of Saint Lucia Virgine e Martire, and a more extensive and organised religious complex grew alonside it on the side of the hill.
The back of the monastery is protected by the Vineyard of San Martino, which was recently declared an artistic and historical patrimony by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities.
A careful project preserved the monastery’s fascination.
The project to adapt the ancient monastery skillfully preserved fascinating and artistically important areas such as the Chapel of San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce, patron saint of Ischia, the Hall of the Oven and the frescoed Refectory.
You can see fragments of frescoes, ancient majolica and decorations in every corner of the hotel.
A timeless atmosphere of art and mysticism.
In the tranquil and silent atmsphere in the heart of the mountain, the ancient Refectory on the third floor still seems to reverberate with the echoes of the prayers and readings that accompanied meal times. < /p>
The area in front of the hall, calledDe Profundis, was a place dedicated to prayer prior to meals. A large, recently-restored fresco on the main wall depicts Jesus at the table feeding San Pietro d’Alcantara, while San Pasquale and Santa Teresa wait with three nuns.
The magic of the votive chapel.
The third floor also houses the cell where Giovan Giuseppe della Croce spent the last 12 years of his life. Remembered for the miracle of the apricots that grew around him even during the winter, he was beatified in 1789.
That same year, his cell was turned into a votive chapel and, today, it is one of the most enchanting areas of the entire hotel.
Today, the ancient refuge areas are dedicated to special occasions.
The Hall of the Oven and the Hall of the Conventuals adjacent to the refectory are the old spaces used as a kitchen and cellar.
The Hall of the Oven keeps alive the memory of long nights when the bread was baked nonstop to feed the poor and victims of persecution, who sought refuge within its sacred walls.
Today, these areas have been skillfully converted into spaces for events.
