Hotel - History
Since 1853: the sixth generation of the Nicolazzi family
Hotel Peninsular opened its doors in 1853 thanks to the Italian Pietro Nicolazzi. Today, the sixth generation of the Nicolazzi family runs Hotel Peninsular, offering guests an experience that blends tradition and comfort in the very heart of Girona.
The history of Hotel Peninsular begins in the region of Novara, in northern Italy, when Pietro Nicolazzi leaves the village of Pella in the first third of the nineteenth century. He flees a turbulent political situation and arrives in Girona, where he becomes one more local. In 1853 he opens the Fonda de Sant Antoni, which will later be renamed Hotel Peninsular and become the hotel with the longest history in the city.
The hotel stands on the site originally occupied by the thirteenth‑century convent of Saint Francis of Assisi, of which only a few original arches and walls remain. Some of them can still be seen at the Peninsular, in common areas and even in a few rooms.
Throughout the nineteenth century, Hotel Peninsular is consolidated by the first two generations of the Nicolazzi family and evolves together with the city and social changes; for instance, the ground‑floor livestock stables were replaced by a café for guests.
In the twentieth century, despite the political and military upheavals the city of Girona experienced, Hotel Peninsular remained continuously open and members of the third and fourth Nicolazzi generations welcomed guests from all walks of life.
During the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), the Republican military authorities decided to turn several hotels in the city into accommodation for airmen and their staff.
As many as a hundred airmen resided on average at the Peninsular during those years. The telephone exchange was installed in the basement to protect it from air raids, and this is exactly where the Nicolazzi family took shelter from the bombardments by Franco’s army and its allies.
Right after the end of the Civil War, the orders from the new authorities were unambiguous: the Peninsular had to remain in service immediately.
During the Second World War, the Peninsular served as a refuge for those who, for one reason or another, had to flee in order to save their lives.
In 2003, Assumpció Nicolazzi (fourth generation at the helm of the hotel) published the book “El Peninsular (1853‑2003) Memoir of a hotel in Girona”.
Between 1853 and 2020, despite all the historical events it lived through, the Peninsular never closed its doors. Not a single closed day, until 15 March 2020, when the last guests left the establishment to confine themselves at home after the state of alarm was declared due to the Covid‑19 pandemic.
Approaching 175 years of history and with the sixth generation of the Nicolazzi family at the helm, Hotel Peninsular is now part of the Novara Hotels SL group, a name that pays tribute to the Italian region where the founder of this dynasty of Girona hoteliers was born.
Fragments in the Girona press (1896 to 1911)
Yesterday, the body of Don Pedro Nicolás, former owner of the Fonda Peninsular, was laid to rest. The funeral was very well attended, a testament to the sympathy shown to the family of the deceased, to whom we extend our deepest condolences.
Today, on the feast day of St. James the Apostle, patron saint of the cavalry, the Treviño light infantry squadron stationed here, commanded by Captain Jiménez Fronti, will celebrate splendidly.
At nine o'clock, the officers, enlisted men, and soldiers will attend Mass at the Provincial Hospital church. Two hearty meals will be served to the troops, and in the afternoon, at the San Francisco barracks, there will be games, sack races, equestrian exercises, and other activities.
In the evening, the officers of Treviño will gather for a fraternal banquet at the Hotel Peninsular.
The owner of the Peninsular Hotel, Don Juan Nicolás, invited the friends of the winner of the prize offered by that gentleman in this year's Floral Games to meet in a fraternal banquet yesterday, which is the Rdo. Don Antonio Viver. The friends of the award-winning writer came out very pleased with the attentions given by Mr. Nicolás, who so splendidly (sic) and delicately knew how to present them.
To celebrate the purchase of the premises occupied by the "Republican Union" Society, a large number of members will gather today for a fraternal banquet at the Hotel Peninsular.
Tomorrow, the decorators Messrs. Escaler and Son, accompanied by other artists, will arrive in this city and stay at the Hotel Peninsular to accept commissions for the upcoming festivities, especially for decorating cars and floats for the planned Battle of Flowers.
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Vacances en família
Vacances amb amics
Tot el personal és amabilissim.
Hotel molt cèntric
Excellent location
Me ha encantado
