Gallery
Origins & 19th-Century Beginnings
The hotel’s roots go back to the early 1800s when Pasquale Tramontano, a pioneer from nearby Tramonti, opened a simple inn called the “Corona di Ferro.”
His son Guglielmo Tramontano expanded the business, moving it to Villa Nardi and later linking it with the adjacent Villa Strongoli Pignatelli, rebranding the establishment as Hotel Tramontano in 1857.
Imperial Prestige
The hotel quickly became a magnet for writers, artists and European nobility, drawing figures such as Lamartine and James Fenimore Cooper.
A major turning point came in 1871 when Tsarina Maria Alexandrovna of Russia stayed with a large entourage for two months. During her visit, the engagement of the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia to the Duke of Edinburgh was announced — and the hotel earned the title “Imperial.”
Cultural Highlights
Over the years the hotel hosted a parade of illustrious guests — including royalty and celebrated writers — and became part of local cultural lore.
On its terrace, the famous Neapolitan song “Torna a Surriento” was composed by Giambattista De Curtis, tied to an event there in 1902 honoring Italian statesman Giuseppe Zanardelli.
The site also includes the historic birthplace of the poet Torquato Tasso (born in 1544 in what became part of the hotel’s grounds).
20th Century to Today
The Tramontano family ran the hotel through generations. In 1959 it was sold to Luigi Iaccarino, linking it with one of the region’s other famous hospitality families; it remains under that family’s stewardship today.
