Information

History

The Capuchin friars, led by Girolamo Mautini, founded the monastery in 1603 in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the town of Narni and the old Roman aqueduct of Forminia, its remainings still visible today.

The monastery prospered until 1800, but was then abandoned by the friars. Afterwards it became a possession of the town of Narni. In 1895 Edoardo Montinori acquired the monastery, which he renovated and furnished in Moorish style with vases, carpets, tapestries,mosaics, brought by him from his frequent visits to the Orient. He also transformed the bell tower of the old church into a minaret, created the gardens, the pond and even posed an obelisk at the centre of it. This private residence and museum was called "Villa Montinori".

In more recent times, the building was used as a tourist accommodation place, taking the name of "Hotel Restaurant Minaret".

In 2003, after a period of negligence, the whole complex was obtained by the Roman enterpreneur Costante Brugnoli and his family. It took twelve months of careful restoration and furnishing in respect with the particular style of the structure to achieve what today is "Il Chiostro srl - Hotel Il Minareto" - a unique and marvelous place.