The Villa Tradition of hospitality in Nervi

Villa Bonera

A blast from the past

Isn’t it enough to sleep in a 5 Centuries dwelling? Just to make the idea, Villa Gnecco (Gnecco Nin di San Tomaso is the complete name of the family who made the Villa built) was already standing when Luther posted his 95 thesis that kicked off the Protestant Reformation, When Leonardo painted his famous self-portrait, when in today’s Mexico the great Montezuma was ruling.

Marco & Barbara Morandi

The history of Villa Bonera

16th Century noble residence

Villa Bonera lays its foundation upon the rests of an ancient roman temple to Neptune. During the first half of XVIII Century, approximately between George Washington’s and Marquis de Sade’s births, a major restoration work has been made, during which the magnificent marble staircase has been added. Around the mid-1800s, Gnecco Counts rented the Villa to the more blazoned Marquises Arconati who, with the necessary connections, in 1846 made Giovanni Battista Giorgini and Vittoria Manzoni, daughter of some novelist named Alessandro, got married in the Villa’s private chapel (today’s breakfast and dining room). From the second half of XIX Century already, Villa Bonera became site for a hotel and prestigious destination for russian, english, swiss, dutch and german guests; these last particularly took to heart the Villa, so during World War II they confiscated it and made it the headquarter of Nazi’s Navy. War raids left some original paintings of 1700/1800 anyway, beyond the lovely frescos still present in many rooms and in the common areas. In the past Century late 50’s, early 60’s, Villa Bonera has been acquired privately and Morandi family started to run the business: at first granpa Mario, then dad Roberto and mom Gabriella, and now brothers Marco and Barbara carry on the tradition of hospitality in Nervi with a smile, in a family environment.

1500

Villa Bonera is built

Doria family gives permission to Gnecco Nin di San Tomaso family to build the structure.

1730

Great work of reconstruction

At the beginning of eighteen Century, the marble staircase inside the Vila is included.

1840

Villa is rented

The Marquises Arconati take Villa Bonera for rent.

1846

Wedding of Vittoria Manzoni

Giovanni Battista Giorgini and Vittoria Manzoni, Alessandro’s daughter, get married in the private chapel of the Villa.

1890

Villa Bonera becomes a prestigious hotel

Nervi takes out a touris vocation, Villa Bonera goes with the flow and becomes a hotel, welcoming guests from all over Europe.

1943

It’s seized during World War II

During World War II, the Villa is seized to become the headquarters of the Nazi Navy.

1955

Villa Bonera is taken under management by the Morandi family

Hotel Villa Bonera is managed by the Morandi family, that has been running it for three generations.