Hotel Our history

 

…Hotel In Sylvis - Abate Ermanno Restaurant…

A place where the antique walls still whisper their fascinating millennial history of ancient splendour and golden eras, of brave Knights and Barbarian invaders,
Popes and powerful Abbots.





Our history began in the 2nd century b.C. as a staging post and Inn, where imported wines, oils, and garum were served, equaling the most famous hotels of the Roman Empire. The Inn became so famous and prosperous, that its owner Veneteia Maxima was awarded her own tomb – a rare honour for a Lady in those days. Her memorial stone is preserved in the Lapidarium of the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis, 100 meters from the antique Inn and our Hotel.

In the course of the century, the Inn and the surrounding villages were razed to the ground, during the devastating invasion of the legendary Attila-the-Hun and his hordes. It was rebuilt again in 1250 on the orders of the powerful Abbate Ermano di Frattina as a fortress for the protection of the Abbey. Two centuries later in 1441, Cardinal Pietro Barbo, who became Pope under the name Paolo II, ordered a complete remodeling, so that it could serve as a hotel for the Abbey and its illustrious visitors. The restoration was completed by his nephew, the Abbott Giovanni Michiel, who belonged to the legendary “Order of the Knights Templar”. The friendship and ties that bounded the Abbotts and the Knights Templar brought them important donations to the Abbey, which was then at the height of its splendor. The Hotel became known as ‘The Secular Inn’ and was later renamed ‘The Palace’. When the Order of the Knights Templar was disbanded, the Abbey and its Hotel began their decline.

In 1790, ‘The Palace’ passed into the hands of the Marquis of Sesto, only to be requisitioned by the French Army. It become a Napoleonic staging post, administered by Major Giuseppe Marieni, an Italian military engineer serving in the French Army. This station boasted 30 horses, and 8 wagons, each with their own postman, stable hands, groomsmen, Postmaster General, military staff and a Base Commander. The end of the Republic marked the end of the Inn’s public role. Subsequently it was remodeled as the private residence of the Ortolani Family.

It was later inherited by the Sandrini family, which produced an illustrious Church prelate, Monsignor Paolo Sandrini. The building was used as a nursery school, then changed hands again, inherited by the Milani family, from whom it was purchased by the current owners, the Vit family

The new owners began radical restoration to bring the property back to its historic origins as a hotel. The Vit family’s commitment to authenticity, quality, inovation and customer care lead to the creation of a charming hospitality center. It opened its doors to its first guests in 1998 under the name ‘Hotel In Sylvis’. Today this is an important prize-winning Hotel in Northeastern Italy with a wide ranging national and international clientele.

Certain artefacts uncovered during the restoration works are now preserved inside the Hotel and its courtyard as a testimony to the vicissitudes of time and to its fascinating history, so tightly interworen with the life of the Abbey and the Knights Templar.

Every space within the structure is named after one of the figures who made this building unique, as a tribute to those who walked these floors before us. They have left us a great story to tell, and given us the honour to carry forward the millennial tradition of this special place, dedicated to the art of Hospitality.

Exactly two thousand years later, the antique Hotel has returned to its ancient splendor. By virtue of its history, which has been tied since 1250 to the Holy Roman Church. His Excellency Sennen Corrà, the 75th Archbishop of the Diocese of Concordia – Pordenone, inaugurated the Hotel In Sylvis and the Restaurant Abate Ermanno, on 19th October 1999.
 
 

PLACES OF INTEREST
 

The fortified Abbey of "Santa Maria In Sylvis” owes its name to the thick forest in which it was originally settled, and is one of the most important Benedictine centers in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Built in the 8th century by a noble Lombard family, closely tied to the rulers of Cividale, it was subsequently destroyed by the invading hordes of Attila the Hun, and rebuilt by the end of the 10th century. Archaeological excavations around the Church uncovered an earlier building and some tombs. The newly unearthed building turned out to be an ancient pagan Roman temple. That this place belonged to the Knights Templar, is proven by the little portico on the left side of the entrance hall called “La Loggetta”. In fact, there was a certain friendship and brotherhood between the Benedictines and the Templars. In the little lodge there is a fresco, depicting the protagonists of the “Chanson De Roland”, evidence of the Knights' presence here.


 

PARADISE WATCHING HELL
 

The Church, built in the Romanesque style, may be reached at the end of a long atrium framed by two rows of 4 columns. As you enter, you are confronted by two majestic scenarios - Hell on the left and Paradise on the right. The Inferno is depicted vividly and it is impossible for the visitor to remain unmoved upon ‘witnessing’ the torture inflicted on the ‘damned souls’. However, the most powerful image is on the right side, in Paradise, where all the ‘blessed souls’ observe, without emotion, the terrifying scenes in front of them. There is the coronation of Mary in the center, but only a few of them are turned in that direction. The majority of the souls are looking towards us, therefore have the blood curdling scene from Hell in front of them. Another particularity is that while the Paradise fresco is well preserved, the Hell fresco appears damaged in several areas. The reason for this anomaly is the medieval practice of throwing stones against the ‘Demon’, to purify themselves from sin before entering the church.

 

THE GAZE BETWEEN JESUS AND A LADY

 

On exhibit inside the building are several frescoes, that were detached from their original walls in the 15th century. They depict various crowned female figures, to whom no particular significance has been attributed. One lady is kneeling, while another has her arms crossed on her chest, contemplating the face of Jesus behind a cloud. This is not just ‘any old fresco’.

It recalls the secrets kept by the Templars, and may refer to the biggest secret of them all. Observing attentively, one can see the profound understanding between Jesus and the Crowned Lady, who is gazing at his face, smiling. At the same time, Jesus does not appear triumphant between the angels in the rays of light – only their knowing looks identify them as custodians of the same secret. If this were the fruit of the symbology employed by the Order of the Knights, then she could be Mary Magdalene.


 

SAINT ANASTASIA’S URN

 

The Urn can be found in the center of the Crypt and is one of the most precious treasures of the Friuli region. It is made of the purest white marble. The earliest mention of this urn is from 1339 AD, when it was described in a parchment, preserved in the Udine Library. The characters depicted on the Urn are Friars, Knights, Abbots, Heretics and Rebels. For four centuries the Friars were faithful vassals to the Patriarchy of Aquilleia, which owned the land.

At that time he whole area was covered by a dense forest. Their Castle’s West border, was on the road from Pravisdomini to the river Livenza. Testimony to the power and prestige enjoyed by that powerful family, was the appointment of Ermano in 1245 AD as the Benedictine Abbott of the Abbey of Sesto al Reghena. He was the one, who ordered the remodeling of ‘Hotel In Sylvis’ as a small fortress for the protection of the Abbey. His rich and powerful family continued to enjoy their highly elevated status for two more centuries.

Some of their members distinguished military service led to the elevation to peerage of Fryer Marquardo’s Court of Palatino, by Emperor Charles V. The titles were hereditary and was passed down to the males of the family. The decay began in 1568 AD, when Isabella of Fratina di Portogruaro, was condemned for heresy, and her husband and son, banished from The Serenissima for killing a venetian nobleman who was The Administrator for the town of Annone Veneto

 

PIETRO BARBO, POPE PAUL II

 

He became Pope at the age of 47. He was a noble and gentle mannered Venetian patrician, who was liberal, vane and a lover of excessive luxuries, capable of extravagant gestures of generosity. He owned a private pharmacy, where he dispensed free medicines to the people.

His, was one of the most peaceful Papacies in Rome. He revived the Carnival and Pagan celebrations at his expense. There were great parties held under the Pope’s palace, followed by games and races. It was said at the time, that this was done to distract the people from the idea of liberty, and to maintain his temporary power intact. “ A people who has fun, is not a people that conspire.”, he was reported to have said He also had a habit of throwing gold coins from his balcony in Palace Venezia - today’s San Marco Palace. Under his rich Papacy, several Roman monuments were restored, however a Crusade against the Turks was launched, as well.

At a turning point of this bloody enterprise, he succeeded to form an alliance with the Conqueror of Persia Hassan Beg. Soon after he died suddenly from a heart attack, in his bedroom, at the age of 55. He did not live to see the results of his bloody undertaking or to inaugurate the Jubilee year, designated by him in 1475.

 

THE TEMPLAR GIOVANNI MICHIEL

 

The nephew of Pietro Barbo, completed the rebuilding of the Secular Inn(later renamed The Palace) that is today Hotel In Sylvis. At that time, the Inn serviced the Abbey and it’s illustrious guests. Today, under the portal of Santa Maria In Sylvis there is a fresco bearing the family Coat-of-Arms of the Abbott Commendator Giovanni Michiel (1464 – 1503), featuring the Cardinal’s Hat. Giovanni Michiel had Venetian Origins, and was the author of The Rulle, and was affiliated to the Order of the Knights Templars. He also commissioned the fresco of San Benedetto on the Bishop’s Throne.

GIUSEPPE MARIENI He was born in Averara Bologna, on 11 March 1774. His Father died when he was very young, so he was raised and educated by Brother/Fryer Don Carlo Bernardo and his uncle, Don Fancesco Provost of Averara. He was enrolled in the Mariano College of Bergamo and after graduating as an engineer joined the French Military. His meteoric rise saw him in charge of very important and prestigious projects with ample scope to prove his solid preparation and sense of duty. He took part in the Campaign to Russia, and in 1812 was named, Head Genius.

As a Battalion Commander, he had a leading role in building the Bridges of Beresina, which made possible the retreat of Napoleon’s Artillery. He died from typhoid fever, contracted from his friend and brother-in-arms Colonel of the Genius Zanardini, another hero of Beresina. Marieni was only 39 years old.

 

 

          THE KNIGHT’S TEMPLARS         

 

The poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ from the Temple of Solomon, better known as Knights Templars or simply Templars, was one of the first and better known medieval Christian Knights Religious Orders. The birth of the Order took place in the Holy Land amidst wars between Christian and Islamic forces, that exploded after the first Crusade in 1096. In that time, the roads of the Holy Land were travelled by the pilgrims from Europe, who often were assaulted and robbed. To defend the Holy Places and the pilgrims, various religious orders were formed. Around 1118 – 1119, a group of Knights decided to form the original nucleus of the Templars Order, who undertook the duty to ensure safe passage for the numerous European pilgrims visiting Jerusalem.

The Order was officially recognized in 1129, assuming a monastic code with the support of Bernardo of Chiaravalie. The double role of the monks as soldiers was what distinguished The Templar Order in the years of its maturity. This was a source of bewilderment in Christian circles. Theories, suppositions, fascinating mysteries and legends might never lead to a historically certain answer. However, they do contribute to the great curiosity and interest, in this legendary and chivalrous order. With the passing of time The Templars Order dedicated themselves to agricultural activities, which led to the creation of a highly productive system. They also managed the pilgrims money, and succeeded in creating the most advanced banking network of its time. The Order’s wealth and power grew through the centuries, which provoked the envy of the French King, Philip the Handsome.

A dramatic process began in 1312, that led to the final dissolution of the Order in 1314. The Templars were identifiable by their White, Black or Grey Surcoat. The White one was reserved for the Knights Brothers only, to which later was added a distinct small red cross embroidered on the left side of the garment. This well documented image is engraved in the popular imagination to this day, and is steeped in controversy either for the importance of the order itself, or by modern legends of its presumed persecution ,never proven by historic sources. Some researchers and aficionados of the esoteric and obscure, have symbols of the Order tattooed on their chests or backs, which began from the époque it was created. Those can be seen from various depictions from the 9th century AD as well as in modern cinematography. Amongst the Templars symbols were the ‘beauceant’, their standard, characterized by the aforementioned red cross on a Black and White field, symbolizing the role of the Order as a repository of ‘secret knowledge’.

According to their own legend, the 200 years’ history of the Monk Soldiers reveals an esoteric scientific organization, an occult, a custodian of the knowledge of the obscure. Moreover, the Templars were connected to other legendary and strongly controversial subjects, such as The Red Cross, The Priory of Sion, The Opus Dei-Corpus, The Catars, The Hermits, The Gnosis, the Essenian, and finally to relics of supposed lost teachings of Jesus, The Turin Shroud or ‘Judas testament’. Some speculate, that the Knights Templars were guardians and protectors of the Holy Grail and its true nature: the holder of Jesus’s blood would be the Mother of his progeny Mary Magdalene, wife of Christ. This controversial theory is supported by several symbols, spread in the various Churches with Templar tradition.