In Sant'Antonio Abate the famous Castle of Ceremonies is moving towards the revocation of its licenses. The structure had become famous throughout the country thanks to the television program of the same name that showed fairytale weddings and princely parties organized in the sumptuous rooms and gardens of the villa. «In view of the complete acquisition of the property complex called “Grand Hotel La Sonrisa” as the property of the Municipality, following the irrevocable verdict of the sentence issued last February by the Court of or rte di Cassazione , the municipal offices have communicated to the companies involved the start of the procedures for the revocation of the licenses that will lead to the cessation of the hotel and restaurant activities which will take place by the end of December 2024". This was announced by Ilaria Abagnale, mayor of the municipality in the province of Naples where the famous castle stands, a hospitality structure confiscated last February that became known through a popular television format.
«Following a report, a specific act of direction from the Municipal Council to the offices and after the recent dialogue with the Prefecture of Naples - explains Ilaria Abagnale - all the procedures have been started in view of the complete acquisition of the real estate complex and the land for over 40 thousand square meters into municipal assets , already owned by the Municipality of Sant'Antonio Abate by virtue of a final judgment that sanctions the illegal subdivision carried out in that area, a judgment that the Municipal Authority is now executing».
The founder of the business, Antonio Polese (TV's "Boss of Ceremonies") had created a business based on wedding shows from scratch. He died in 2016, and the business of the facility was continued by his family, also on TV. The legal case of "Sonrisa" began in 2011. At the time, investigators contested a long series of building violations carried out starting in 1979 on an area of over 40 thousand square meters. Then, last February, the final confiscation of the buildings and land on which the accommodation facility stands, destined to be acquired in the real estate assets of the Municipality.
(Unioneonline/vf)