As in the previous century, numerous Italian exiles were hosted in the rooms on the upper floors of the Lugano meeting place, including some important names. During this period, the venue maintained and strengthened its image as a prestigious meeting place in the city.

On 3 March 1945, in the “Cenacolo” room on the first floor, in the rooms of the then Bianchi restaurant, now the Grand Café Al Porto, the very first secret meeting between German officers and Allied officials took place, at the height of the greatest tragedy in Europe’s history. During this meeting, the repentance that dissuaded the German leaders from implementing the “scorched earth” strategy in Northern Italy matured.

Operation Sunrise, carried out by a Swiss officer, Major Max Waibel, then in the intelligence service of the Swiss army, contacted by the Italian nobleman Baron Luigi Parrilli, provided valid and determined help in creating the important premises that led to the Capitulation signed in Caserta on 29 April 1945. This signing and unconditional capitulation of the German army, a very bloody war finally ended, sparing Northern Italy not only countless losses, but also the very serious destruction that the order to make “scorched earth” would have caused.

We read the following from “La resa degli ottocentomila”: “…While we waited, we prepared for lunch. The owner of the Bianchi restaurant, Alberto Bianchi, despite the restrictions imposed by rationing, performed miracles. He had no inkling that he was harbouring conspirators, that he was hosting a conference of global interest and historical importance. With hotelier insight, extraordinarily sharpened in Swiss hoteliers, he had, however, understood that he was dealing with important figures”.

The jewel in the crown of the Grand Café Al Porto is the Florentine Cenacolo, originally the refectory of an ancient convent. The coffered ceiling, an original 16th-century work, is enhanced by frescoes attributed to the Florentine painter Bonafedi. The evocative and intimate atmosphere of the Cenacolo is particularly suitable for banquets, celebrations or important and prestigious presentations.

Over the course of two centuries, the historic walls have hosted many illustrious figures, including Carlo Cattaneo, Giuseppe Mazzini, Prince Vittorio Emanuele, Sir Joseph Austen Chamberlain, Henri Guisan, Gustave Stresemann, Giuseppe Prezzolini, Clark Gable, Giulietta Masina, the Aga Khan and Sophia Loren with Carlo Ponti.

The Grand Café Al Porto is a “corresponding member” of the prestigious “Locali storici d’Italia” (Historical Places of Italy). This non-profit cultural association aims to promote and protect historic establishments – hotels, restaurants, pastry shops and literary cafés – that have acquired historical fame and renown through the events they hosted and the people who frequented them. Founded in 1975, the Association today brings together nearly 200 of the oldest and most historic public establishments in Italy. Among these are only six “corresponding members”, historic establishments of great prestige and tradition located abroad. We are proud to be part of it!
Visit localistorici.it

After so many events, after so much history, on the trail of meetings, banquets, discussions and flavours, the Grand Café Al Porto restaurant aims to revive that atmosphere of intimacy so dear to its guests.