The structure that houses Mezzatorre Hotel & Thermal Spa has a fascinating history.

It was, in fact, an ancient watchtower built between the 16th and 17th century by the Aragonese family, which however was never finished (fittingly the name “Mezzatorre” translates as “Half-Tower”). It was enlarged in the 18th century by the dukes of Rancidello.

In the 1930s, the tower was used as a pension until Luigi Patalano, a distinguished scholar, politician and poet, bought it. Founder of political and cultural magazines, he transformed the property into an active cultural cenacle. In the same park as Mezzatorre, Patalano also built “La Colombaia”, a beautiful villa that was first owned by Baron Fassini, an aristocrat and bon viveur, and then, in the 1950s, by film director Luchino Visconti.