The Donkeys of Palazzo Mosrachi

Our lodging in Subiaco has quite an interesting and mysterious history. The Palazzo Mosrachi was built in the early years of the 19th century for a rich family of the same name. It is an extravagant place with the walls and ceilings painted with grand frescos of Greek myths and floral desgins. It’s just down the hill from the Rock of Subiaco, the castle and birthplace of Lucrezia Borgia, a 15th c, a princess and daughter of Pope Alexander VI. But I digress. Garibaldi spent the night in Palazzo Mosrachi soon after being promoted to General and before leading the fight to unify Italy. Some years later, who knows when, the Mosrachi family no longer owns the building and it became the headquarters for the Carabinieri of Subiaco until the 1970’s when it was abandoned for 40 years. In 2006 a descendant of a famous Mafia mob boss buys the Palazzo for $4 million euros. Oh, and this guy is a priest with close ties to the Vatican. He created a goodwill association “Gli Angeli Onlus” that is “officially” the owner of the hotel. Sounds like some laundry works to me. So this priest with mob & Vatican ties turns the Palazzo into a hotel and the grounds into a family amusement picnic area. The hotel room decor is inspired by Italian operas. We were in “Aida”, next door to “La Boheme” and “Turandot”. The “Jurassic Park’ inspired grounds have life size statues of giraffes, gorrillas, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. Amongst the fountains with cherubs and statues of fake wildlife was a little cave stable with two real creatures…these donkeys! The place was huge and eerie. We were the only guests for the two nights we were there. Extras: Palazzo stairway, and fresco in meeting room.