Palazzo Margherita

This intimate 19th-century palazzo has been transformed into a luxurious 9-room boutique hotel that offers guests an authentic Southern Italian experience in one of the country's most undiscovered regions.

A Cinematic Vision Realized
Built in 1892 by the aristocratic Margherita family, this authentic 19th-century palazzo holds profound significance for the Coppola legacy. Bernalda was the birthplace and beloved home of Agostino Coppola, Francis Ford Coppola's grandfather, who affectionately called it "Bernalda bella." Francis acquired the palazzo in 2004, transforming it into an intimate luxury retreat that honors both his family heritage and the authentic culture of Basilicata.

Artisan Restoration and Design
The boutique hotel has been completely restored by Francis Ford Coppola in collaboration with acclaimed French designer Jacques Grange. Their vision creates a luxurious, authentically Italian experience featuring hand-painted fresco ceilings, original restored marble floors, and exotic furnishings that tell the story of a worldly traveler returning from distant lands. Each room reflects this "Route des Indes" inspiration with authentic canopy beds, rich oriental fabrics, and treasures from around the world.

Protected Historic Gardens
One of the palazzo's most enchanting features is its private garden, protected by Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Built around a baroque fountain, the garden extends through secret pathways, natural pergolas, and fruit tree alleys. Fertile herb and vegetable plots supply the kitchen with organic ingredients, creating an authentic farm-to-table experience in the heart of this historic setting.

Traditional Lucanian Cuisine
The palazzo's restaurant celebrates Basilicata's rich culinary heritage using exclusively local and organic ingredients grown in the hotel's own gardens. Guests experience authentic flavors of Southern Italy through dishes prepared using traditional techniques passed down through generations.

Cooking Classes
Under the guidance of skilled local chefs, guests can learn the secrets of regional specialties, from handmade pasta to traditional Lucanian recipes using ingredients harvested from the palazzo's organic gardens.

Palazzo Margherita offers 9 uniquely designed accommodations, each telling its own story of discovery and heritage:

Garden Suite One (51 m² / 550 sq.ft) – Country-style elegance with direct access to the private garden, a sitting area with floor-to-ceiling window, and bathroom with clawfoot tub and separate shower.
Garden Two (30 m² / 320 sq.ft) – Refined room with vaulted ceilings, large closet, writing desk, and clawfoot bathtub by the window. Direct garden access.
Garden Three (34 m² / 370 sq.ft) – Rustic chic with grand barn doors opening to the courtyard, plus a bathroom with clawfoot tub and separate shower.
Suite Four (Sofia) (62 m² / 670 sq.ft) – Feminine, poetic atmosphere with hand-painted frescoes, steam shower, clawfoot tub, and a furnished private terrace.
Suite Five (57 m² / 620 sq.ft) – Classic Italian décor with loft space for a child or reading nook, frescoed ceiling, and balcony overlooking the main square.
Suite Six (55 m² / 590 sq.ft) – Early 20th-century Italian style with frescoed ceiling, Juliette balcony onto the town square, and spacious bathroom.
Suite Seven (Roman) (43 m² / 470 sq.ft) – Eclectic Art Deco-inspired suite with furnished terrace, Juliette balcony over the garden, and elegant bathroom.
Suite Eight (Gia) (70 m² / 780 sq.ft) – Romantic suite with mythological ceiling fresco (Cupid & Psyche), walk-in closet, balcony onto the main square, and large bathroom.
Suite Nine (Francis) (73 m² / 795 sq.ft) – The largest suite, inspired by Tunisian influences, with frescoed walls, wood-burning fireplace, terrace overlooking the garden, and a luxurious bathroom.

Bernalda offers a rare glimpse into authentic Southern Italy, where ancient traditions remain beautifully preserved. This charming hilltop town in Basilicata provides easy access to the UNESCO World Heritage Sassi di Matera, dramatic Mediterranean coastlines just ten minutes away, and vineyards producing the renowned Aglianico wines. Unlike neighboring Puglia, Basilicata remains largely undiscovered, offering genuine hospitality where visitors are treated as neighbors rather than tourists.

@photo credit: ​Gundolf Pfotenhauer