History of 'Torre del Sogno'

Welcome to the Torre del Sogno

A little history of Palazzo Benigno 'Torre del Sogno'

Palazzo Benigno 'Torre del Sogno' is a rare example of an Art Nouveau building in Ravello. It was built by my grandfather Achille Benigno, commander of the Amalfi Coast Forestry Corps, after the flood in Cetara on October 24, 1910, destroyed his home in Vecite, a hamlet of Maiori (SA). After that tragic disaster that struck the entire Amalfi Coast, my grandfather moved to Ravello, living in a small apartment owned by his wife, Carmina Maltese. From that small apartment on Via San Martino, over the course of 14 years he built the entire palace, completing it in 1924 and placing a crenellated tower on top: The Tower of Dreams. He conied the nickname 'Tower of Dreams' while accompanying friends and distinguished guests to the top to admire the view, witch he called a 'dream'". My grandfather had ten children, including my father, General Alberto Benigno, a Reserve Corps member, who inherited a small apartment inside Palazzo Benigno. Along with my father, in the 1970s, my aunts inherited the rest of Palazzo Benigno: Dr. Elisa Benigno, who inherited the entire first floor, accessed from the building's main entrance, the beautiful patio, and the garden below; Ermelinda Benigno, who inherited the second-floor apartment, accessed from a secondary entrance, also on Via San Martino; and Adelina Benigno, who acquired the top floor. There were four Benignos in the entire building. From the 1970s until the early 2000s, Palazzo Benigno continued to be the meeting place and hub for the entire Benigno family, which had by then expanded and spread throughout Italy. On many occasions and anniversaries, we would gather at Aunt Elisa's house, reenacting much of what happened with my grandparents, who had been alive since the 1950s. I particularly remember, as a child, the Christmas dinners in the living room (with the inevitable poem to recite in front of my grandparents and all those uncles), or on December 15th, the anniversary of Grandpa Achille's name day and birth, or even at Easter and sometimes on August 15th. After my grandparents' death, my Aunt Elisa, along with her husband, Uncle Peppino, was very keen to preserve and perpetuate these family gatherings. When they came to Ravello, Elisa and Peppino Avolio's house always had the internal front door open. From my father, who was still alive, I inherited the apartment, which I currently own together with my wife, Professor. Anna Lobefalo. Among the current owners of Palazzo Benigno are two Benignos: myself, owner of the second-floor apartment, and my sister, Dr. Carmina Benigno, who, together with her husband, Salvatore Cinquegrana, purchased the entire first floor, the wonderful patio, and the small garden. The monumental crenellated tower and the terrace below are shared enjoyment areas for the owners, as per my grandfather's wishes. 

Dr. Achille Benigno

The Dream Tower – A Place of Wonder in Ravello

Torre del Sogno ("The Dream Tower"), has long captured the curiosity of visitors to Ravello. A local online newspaper once described this unique landmark as "a place devoted to pure enchantment" and noted how its unusual silhouette immediately transports the imagination.

Built in 1924, the tower is a modern interpretation of Ravello's medieval soul. It was designed by the local artist Francesco Amato—known as Mastro Ciccio—for Achille Benigno, a prominent figure in the Amalfi Coast's forest service. Its distinctive crenellations and harmonious play of light and shadow frame glimpses of the sky and sea, creating a structure that feels both dreamlike and timeless.

Over the years, the tower has inspired painters, hosted notable guests, and stood as a beloved viewpoint overlooking the breathtaking skyline of the Amalfi Coast. Members of the Italian royal family and important statesmen have admired the panorama from this very spot, as recorded in the historic guestbook of the Benigno family.

Today, the Tower continues to rise above Ravello with the same charm and sense of wonder that first inspired its name. Guests staying here can experience the beauty that so many artists, travelers, and dreamers have felt—where the coastline opens before you like a living painting.

Source: summary inspired by an article published on 13 May 2020 by a local Ravello news outlet.