AT HOME IN ROME AT THE DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEUR'S PALAZZO PENTHOUSE: VIOLA MELPIGNANO ON TRANSFORMING A HISTORIC BUILDING AND HOW HER FAMILY MADE PUGLIA A HOTSPOT
HELLO! UK|July 03, 2023
From Viola Melpignano’s penthouse in her family’s palazzo, she can see the whole of the Eternal City spread out beneath her
NANA BOTTAZZI
AT HOME IN ROME AT THE DYNAMIC ENTREPRENEUR'S PALAZZO PENTHOUSE: VIOLA MELPIGNANO ON TRANSFORMING A HISTORIC BUILDING AND HOW HER FAMILY MADE PUGLIA A HOTSPOT

Stepping out onto the Piazza San Lorenzo, she has all the splendour of Rome on her doorstep. And the doorway itself is quite something, because right there are the remains of the Ara Pacis, built in 13BCE to honour the Emperor Augustus.

In fact, the Melpignano name is synonymous with exclusive locations. As well as San Domenico House hotel in London, Viola’s family created Masseria San Domenico and Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, the gorgeous settings for Madonna’s birthday celebrations, Tom Cruise’s holidays and Justin Timberlake’s wedding.

Viola is equally dynamic. Since she lost her husband, industrialist Andrea Merloni, two years ago, she has coped with her grief by throwing herself into his business and travelling constantly from country to country. But she always returns to her Italian roots and to her unique Roman home, as she explains here.

Viola, tell us about the Palazzo Fiano. 

“It is a beautiful 18th-century building, and extra special because, when they forged its foundations, they found the ruins of the Ara Pacis. You can see the bas-reliefs embedded in the walls.” 

How long has your family lived here? 

“Since I was 15. It was my mother Marisa who found our first apartment and later, on her advice, my father Sergio bought two more in the same building: the three-storey penthouse, which my parents gave me as a wedding present, and the neighbouring flat, which belongs to my elder brother Aldo.”

This story is from the July 03, 2023 edition of HELLO! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July 03, 2023 edition of HELLO! UK.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HELLO! UKView All
DREAM ESCAPES
HELLO! UK

DREAM ESCAPES

Take in the beauty of Japan's former imperial capital, from its temples and tea houses to serene moments in nature

time-read
1 min  |
November 25, 2024
SPICE BOY
HELLO! UK

SPICE BOY

Brooklyn Peltz Beckham is among the stars fuelling the craze for hot sauces, from spicy peppers to hot honey

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
CILLIAN MURPHY
HELLO! UK

CILLIAN MURPHY

AFTER HIS OSCAR-WINNING TURN IN 'OPPENHEIMER' CILLIAN MURPHY BRINGS IT BACK HOME WITH POWERFUL NEW FILM SET IN IRELAND - AND DROPS 'PEAKY BLINDERS' MOVIE HINTS

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY - THE DUKE OF SUSSEX
HELLO! UK

MARKING REMEMBRANCE DAY - THE DUKE OF SUSSEX

PAYS HEARTFELT TRIBUTE AS HE MAKES SWEET GESTURE TO BEREAVED CHILDREN

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
THE ROYAL FAMILY PAY THEIR RESPECTS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
HELLO! UK

THE ROYAL FAMILY PAY THEIR RESPECTS ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

HONOURING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE WHILE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY

time-read
4 mins  |
November 25, 2024
MAKING IT A RIGHT ROYAL NIGHT - 'GLADIATOR II'
HELLO! UK

MAKING IT A RIGHT ROYAL NIGHT - 'GLADIATOR II'

THE KING WALKS THE RED CARPET AT FILM'S STARRY WORLD PREMIERE

time-read
3 mins  |
November 25, 2024
FRESH FROM THE 'WICKED' PREMIERE - ARIANA GRANDE
HELLO! UK

FRESH FROM THE 'WICKED' PREMIERE - ARIANA GRANDE

ON HER CLOSE BOND WITH 'WARMEST HUMAN' CYNTHIA ERIVO

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
AFTER REVEALING HER DECISION TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR - DAVINA MCCALL CELEBRITY FRIENDS SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AFTER SHOCK NEWS
HELLO! UK

AFTER REVEALING HER DECISION TO HAVE SURGERY FOR A BRAIN TUMOUR - DAVINA MCCALL CELEBRITY FRIENDS SEND MESSAGES OF SUPPORT AFTER SHOCK NEWS

Stars including Amanda Holden and Holly Willoughby have offered heartfelt support to Davina McCall after she revealed she was undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
THE KING AND QUEEN
HELLO! UK

THE KING AND QUEEN

AS DAMIAN LEWIS PRAISES CAMILLA'S RECENT T.V. TURN - THE KING AND QUEEN HOST STAR-STUDDED RECEPTION AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR FAMOUS BIG AND SMALL-SCREEN FACES

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024
CELINE DION AND JENNIFER LOPEZ - STEAL THE SHOW AT LAVISH FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA
HELLO! UK

CELINE DION AND JENNIFER LOPEZ - STEAL THE SHOW AT LAVISH FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA

HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

time-read
2 mins  |
November 25, 2024