The Rebirth of a Land
In the early 1950s, Count Stefano Rivetti, a member of one of Piedmont’s most influential textile families, discovered Maratea and recognised its unspoilt beauty, choosing it as the setting for the development of his vision. Everything began in Fiumicello, a quiet corner of the Tyrrhenian Sea still loved by its people, where Rivetti launched his first textile venture in 1953. From there, Maratea turned into a whole different story.
At the time, the town was rooted in rural life and agriculture: simple, distant from the modern world and far removed from the economic prosperity enjoyed by other parts of Italy, yet rich in wisdom passed down through generations. In 1956, as Italy turned on a new chapter, Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics for the first time, and Anna Magnani became the first Italian actress to win an Oscar –– the Santavenere Hotel opened its doors.
A Canvas for Artists and Filmmakers
From the very start, Santavenere was known as a “Lucanian jewel,” marking the beginning of tourism in Maratea and the surrounding region, from the Gulf of Policastro to Calabria and Campania. Over time, the town welcomed travellers from all over the world, drawn by its beauty, its festivals, traditions, and landscapes.
Its charm inspired artists like Pier Paolo Pasolini and Domenico Modugno, as well as filmmakers who brought internationally renowned actors here (like Anita Ekberg and Peppino De Filippo), choosing Maratea as the backdrop for their films.
A Tapestry of Stories
The bond between Santavenere and its land is so deeply intertwined as to be unique: there is no corner of this place, on Via Conte Stefano Rivetti, that does not hold the soul of Maratea.
In 2020, a new chapter begins for Hotel Santavenere. Entrepreneur Paolo Barletta chooses to take over this place overlooking the sea in Maratea, with the intention of preserving its identity while guiding it through a process of discreet renewal, respectful of its history. The project develops together with hotelier Aldo Melpignano, who shapes its creative and strategic direction, bringing forward an idea of hospitality that is contemporary and deeply rooted in the place and people who call it home. Santavenere continues its journey: faithful to its soul and capable of renewing itself without losing what makes it unique.
Over the past seventy years, countless stories have converged here. Some arrive from afar; some discover this place for the first time; some return; others stay for only a single summer. Different paths cross at Santavenere before drifting into the narrow streets of the old town, pausing before the dramatic cliff-top views of the sea, or following the winding road that climbs towards the Christ the Redeemer statue, commissioned by the Count and now an enduring symbol of the destination.
It is a place shaped by many voices, near and far, each one part of what Santavenere is today.
