Hotel Asolo

Eleonora Duse (Vigevano, 1858 – Pittsburg, 1924)
She was one of the greatest Italian actresses of her time, renowned
inspiring muse for the supreme poet Gabriele
D’Annunzio.
The actress’s first encounter with Asolo was in 1857, during
one of the company Duse’s first leg there: she first went on
stage at the age of four and in 1873 she displayed her talent
in the role of Juliet at the Arena of Verona. In 1879 she
acted in Teresa Raquin by Zola, and in 1884 la Cavalleria
rusticana by Verga; followed by many roles as heroine in the
French theatre, Cleopatra and again Juliet by Shakespeare.
From 1897 she showed her interest in Italian and foreign drama:
her most intense repertories were A doll’s house by Henrik
Ibsen and the many works Gabriele D’Annunzio wrote
for her Il sogno di un mattino di mezza estate, La città morta,
Gioconda, La figlia di Jorio.
Her love for Asolo began with her various stay with friends
from 1912, but in 1919 she decided to remain in Asolo, purchasing
a building near suburb Santa Caterina, along the
road which lead to Pagnano d’Asolo. She rarely went to the
city.
In 1924, according to her will, she was buried in Asolo, in the
convent of St. Anna; from 1933 the mayor Giacomo Raselli
strove hard to get Eleonora Duse’s relics, placing them in the
museum of Asolo, where one today can admire her costumes,
letters, photos, portraits and other objects.
Freya Stark (Paris, 1893 - Asolo, 1993)
Well known explorer and writer, like other famous travellers
like Kipling and Lawrence, she was a legendary figure for her
adventurous trips to the Middle East, of which we can find
passionate descriptions in her many books.
Her contact relationship with Asolo began at an early age.
In 1946 she became an honorary citizen of Asolo and Asolo
became her resting point and point of reference during her
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