The family
The name Scapolatiello has its origin in the word "scapolare", which is the clothing worn by monks. Apparently a historical reconstruction indicates that the root of the word "scapolare" united to the ending "ello" (meaning small) gives way to a new term, therefore distinguished from the original one. It is most probably derived from a sort of nickname which through time became a real and proper last name.
The Scapolatiello’s are one of the most ancient families of Cava, listed in the archives of the Santa Maria Maggiore Parish of Corpo di Cava, which contain the most ancient writings on the inhabitants of the town. The first Scapolatiello listed is Antonio from the land of Bisceglie at the end of the 17th century. In 1660 he married a young girl, Giuditta Cesaro, and they had four children: Gennaro, Francesco, Agata and Andrea.
The family tree bears several characters that have left a significant mark in the local history. Vincenzo Martino Domenico Scapolatiello, born on 20 November 1759, was the Prior of the Parish of Corpo di Cava as of 1803, an honor reserved to few citizens. The century old “adventure” of the Scapolatiello family related to the hotel industry begins in 1821, transforming them from the owners of a simple guesthouse to modern hoteliers in charge of a marvellous establishment such it is today. Through Gabriele first and then his son Giuseppe, the glorious history of this magical place started. Giuseppe married Maria Pellegrino and had four children: Marianna, Rosa, Cesare and Maria.
Cesare was responsible for the final rise of the hotel. As proof of the growing prestige of the family, he was chosen to represent the category of hoteliers when in 1922 the first Committee for the Administration of the Tourist Office of Cava de' Tirreni was created. He married Petronilla Massimino and they had three children: Maria, Giuseppe and Vincenzo. Due to the premature death of Cesare, at the young age of 18 his son Giuseppe took over the management, giving up his university studies.
Giuseppe was aided in his new role by the teachings of his father but also by the advice of his mother Petronilla, a simple but strong woman with sound principles. Giuseppe then married Zelia Pelosi in 1950 and they had three children: Lucia, Giuliana and Cesare. These were difficult years for the Scapolatiello family and the entire world devastated by the Second World War. Giuseppe and his brother Vincenzo experienced several grave events luckily without serious consequences. During one of his journeys to retrieve goods and necessities, Giuseppe was stopped by the Germans who captured his travel partner Virno, later released thorough the intercession of Father Benedetto, then a monk in the Abbey; Vincenzo went to the front as a soldier, was captured by the Germans after the armistice, but managed to escape and return home. The following years were all of positive growth for the family. Under the management of the two Scapolatiello brothers before, and after of the children Lucia, Giuliana and Cesare, with the support of Giuseppe’s sister Maria, the hotel has in time gained fame and fortune, success and prestige, becoming today one of the most important hotels of the international scenario.