AT HOME IN AN UMBRIAN PALACE
A house in an Umbrian palace: this is the atmosphere you live in in this charming residence of the sixteenth century, that become a Luxury Hotel in Norcia, in the heart of Umbria, after a careful restoring. Fusion of design and tradition, simplicity and quality, this is the secret of this new elegant project promoted and realized by Vincenzo and Federico Bianconi, the last generation of a family who has been offering Hospitality and Foodservice since 1850.
The skilled restoration, the research of unique materials and objects, along with the work of the best Umbrian craftsmen, have made Palazzo Seneca a unique destination in its genre.
Palazzo Seneca offer 24 unique rooms, a little Spa with jacuzzi, sauna and steam room and a Gourmet Restaurant Vespasia, 1 Michelin star, to enojoy the rich local gastronomy tradition.
It is the perfect base to discover Norcia, the Sibillini National Park or the most important destinations of Umbria.
THE HISTORY
Palazzo Seneca was built in the 16th century from the homonym family from Piedivalle, a village near Preci, whose inhabitants were famous as skilled wood carvers. Among their works, the wooden chorus inside Saint Benedict Church, which is, however, no longer in the church, and the chorus of Saint Eutizio Abbey. Inside you can find a large stone fireplace of the 16th century, with the family escutcheon on top of it representing a bar with a pair of compasses in the middle and three roses underneath.
Compasses and bar symbolize the craftsmen corporation they belonged to. Palazzo Seneca was the first hotel in Norcia and among the first in Umbria, having started since the early 1900s.
Over time, the building underwent several changes, but on the ground floor it maintains the characteristic 16th century vaults. The structure was badly damaged during the 1997 earthquake, but thanks to an attentive restoration it has turned again one of the most splendid monuments in Norcia. Over the period 1905-1908 in the town records Palazzo Seneca was indicated as “Private House used as Hotel”; today, one century after the first opening, Palazzo Seneca re-opens as an hotel this ancient and beautiful palace.
BIANCONI FAMILY
"Our family has handed down the passion for hospitality and foodservice from father to son. The Palazzo Seneca project represents the evolution of 150 years tradition, of our studies, experiences and researches carried out throughout Italy and worldwide. A house in an Umbrian Palace, this is not a slogan, it is rather a way of thinking, projecting, hosting, living this elegant residence of the sixteenth century.
We have collected tradition, design, simplicity, genuine feeling and creativity in order to let you experience a new Umbrian tradition. We welcome you to make your stay with us memorable."
Vincenzo and Federico Bianconi
The ideal place for guests who like simple room, where elegance and refinement are clear from every detail. In the hall you will find the antique writing desk of the Seneca family which has been skilfully restored, a comfortable leather sofa and a vanity table for the living area.
In the sleeping area a wooden bed with spiral columns carved with indisputable mastery by the Umbrian artisans will leave you breathless.
Beauty and comfort: a king-size bed with Simmons mattress with springs individually bagged and memory foam will make your rest a real dream.
Ancient oak wood floors and black granite bathrooms (meteor), both of great value. Everything points to a place without time and with unique elegance.
An unforgettable experience. Some with four-poster beds in old wood, some with carved wood bed-heads, all sculptured with great ability by Umbrian craftsmen who co-operate with important restorations in the centre of Italy. Some suites have unique antique pieces, wardrobes and secretaires manufactured in 1500-1700, belonging to the Seneca family, that have been skilfully restored.
The floors are of great elegance, realized in old oak, while in the bathrooms black granite (meteor) has been used.
Intimacy is the added value of Palazzo Seneca. Some rooms are furnished with four-poster beds in wrought iron, as in the old times. Others are provided with wooden bed- heads sculptured by the skilled hands of Umbrian craftsmen who work on restorations in the centre of Italy.
Writing desks fully covered with leather realized by leather craftsmen from Marche. “Cardinal” style chairs, the same used by the Cardinals during their meetings in the Vatican, strictly produced in Umbria.
Intimacy is the added value of Palazzo Seneca.
Some rooms are decorated with wrought iron canopies, as of old, while others have wooden headboards carved by the expert hands of the Umbrian artisans, responsible for the restoration of important works of art in central Italy.
Simmons mattress with springs individually bagged and memory foam will make your rest a real dream.
Writing desks fully lined in leather by the master tanners from the Marche. ‘Cardinal’ chairs, the same used in the Vatican for meetings among cardinals, strictly made by Umbrian artisans.
On the walls textural paintings made with jute, the fabric formerly used by bakers for the natural leavening of bread.
Class and elegance characterize all the bathrooms of the rooms, made with ecru marble.
Cosy and charming nests overlooking the rooftops of the historic town centre of Norcia. Some rooms are decorated with wrought iron canopies, as of old, while others have wooden headboards carved by the expert hands of the Umbrian artisans.
Simmons mattress with springs individually bagged and memory foam will make your rest a real dream. Writing desks fully lined in leather by the master tanners from the Marche.
‘Cardinal’ chairs, the same used in the Vatican for meetings among cardinals, strictly made by Umbrian artisans.
Vincenzo and Federico Bianconi thanks to their parents Carlo and Anna, have created Vespasia project. They love good and healthy earth’s things, the territory and the environmental and social sustainability. They established together with Massimo e Daniele Pizzichini the ethics movement Salus for Cibum.
They promote the excellence and the development of this community by sharing a high, healthy and fair vision for the future, and with these and the cleverest local producers they plan new projects. Bianconi Family is in the catering field since 1850.
The Chef Valentino Palmisano has joined the “Vespasia” project since 2017. A meeting of ideas and the common ethical and professional values have led the Neapolitan chef to move to Norcia after a decade of prestigious international experiences in large hotel chains from Shanghai to the Ritz-Carlton in Kyoto.
Listed among the top 10 best Italian chefs abroad by “Arbiter” magazine, in Asia Palmisano became one of the greatest interpreters of Italian cuisine, authentic, creative and at the same time tradition-bound.
Trained in the school of Alfonso Iaccarino, Bruno Barbieri, Pino Lavarra and Oliver Glowig, over the years he has worked with professionals like Riccardo La Perna, Massimo Bottura, Domenico Iavarone and, Gaetano Trovato, devising a program of gourmet events of international appeal called “Dining with Valentino”.
Filippo Moriggi is passionate about good food and the food in all its forms.
A traveller and a person with a deep knowledge of different cultures, he loves discovering local markets with their scents and goods on offer.
His experiences led him to one of the most pristine places on the planet, New Zealand, at the Otahuna Lodge Relais & Châteaux. Here he embraced the project ‘farm to table’, entailing the production and cultivation in the property or the search for raw materials from local producers.
Along with the Bianconi family he intends to pursue this philosophy and the creation of a network of sustainable businesses.
Among his notable experiences are the Silversea luxury cruises, still partners with Relais & Châteaux.
1 GUIDE MICHELIN STARS
The “Vespasia” project was created and is operated by Vincenzo and Federico Bianconi, the latest generation of a family of enthusiast restaurateurs, with a tradition that began in the 1850s and continued without interruption. This is a tribute to this land and its immense culinary richness.
The restaurant “Vespasia” is located in the Palazzo Seneca Relais & Châteaux, a noble palace dating back to the 1500s in the artistic heart of Norcia, a few steps from the main square of St. Benedict, between the Castle of Vignola and the convent of St. Francis, the latter transformed in recent years into a stylish auditorium.
The restaurant “Vespasia” gives out a sense of harmony and peace. Here innovation meets tradition, treating it with respect a child should treat his father. Everything at the “Vespasia” tells the story of this land – style, colours and flavours that are simple but at the same time intense.
Details always make the difference and this is why they were treated with great love and attention. At the “Vespasia” the Guests can even choose their seat between comfortable padded chairs and large leather armchairs, both created by master Umbrian craftsmen.
The table can be in the more intimate ‘black’ fireplace room and including wine, candles and wooden furniture, or between the lemon grove and the old stables, overlooking the inner courtyard.
When the weather permits, guests can eat outside where, in addition to peace and tranquillity, they can enjoy the view of the towers, bell towers and, in the distance, of the Sibillini Mountains.
The scent of aromatic herbs from the garden completes a top-quality location. But it is at night that the restaurant “Vespasia” expresses its greatest charm. The candles are lit, the lights dimmed, the staff consistently checks that everything is perfect – it’s time for the show!
The silverware, the crystal glasses and the spotless table linen are overshadowed as the dishes prepared by the Chef Valentino Palmisano and his staff, the real protagonists of the restaurant “Vespasia”, arrive.
The recipes you can taste at the “Vespasia” stand out for their elegance, refinement, tradition, creativity and real professional ethics. Colours, scents and flavours want to carry those who taste them on a journey to discover this land, full of great products, great history, simplicity and love for good and healthy things.
Every Saturday night, you can also enjoy the soft notes of live jazz, swing or blues that good musicians reserve for guests. Everything to make yours a memorable evening.
12.30h - 14.45h
19.30h - 22.00h
In the basement of the Palazzo Seneca Relais & Châteaux, just a few meters from the main square in Norcia, a mystic silence surrounds the rooms of the Wellness Centre.
Learn Norcia cheese makers (casari) ancient art, visit a cheese factory and learn how cheese is produced as well as to make your ricotta cheese! Palazzo Seneca will guide you in outstanding experiences.
Try an uncommon experience and find out all the territory flavours and finest products like the Black Truffle, the famous “Norcinerie” and all the healthiest Sibillini Mountains Park products.
The mountains around the little town of Norcia offer to the most adventurous the chance to practice extreme sports. Enjoy your holiday in Umbria living Paragliding or Hang gliding launches and a breathtaking climbing.
Visit the factories and the activities of the best territory producers, so you will find Norcia finest gastronomic products. Cured pork meat factories, breeding farms, home-made products, honey productions and much more.
Taste a special selection of Norcia traditional products such as the prosciutto, the salami or the cheese and taste them at Vespasia restaurant, 1 Michelin star, these fine products will be accompanied by a wide selection of Umbrian wines and beers.
Let you guide by Palazzo Seneca in the olive oil world and taste the different kind of Umbria extra virgin olive oil pressings. You will live this experience in an oil mill located in Montefalco, and you will learn all about the olives.
Experience a fascinating and amusing descent along Corno River which can be pass through safely also from the less experts.
The magic of the nature and the Sibillini territory charm envelop and engage everybody who decides to be surrounded by them. Together with Bianconi Hospitality go and discover Norcia and the National Park.
Discover Norcia, Black Truffle kingdom in the hearth of Umbria and thanks to the extraordinary Truffle Hunting you may be a truffle hunter, so start your truffle research with an expert hunter and his dogs in the Sibillini Mountains National Park wood.
Norcia at 604 metres high is situated in the hearth of the Sibillini Mountains and its summits are covered with snow 8 months per year! Find out your ideal destination for your skiing or snowboarding holiday in Umbria.
PALAZZO SENECA
Via Cesare Battisti, 1206046 Norcia (PG) Umbria Italy