about the hotel
history of the hotel
and the Bucher Wirth family
over 150 years of history and tradition in the hotel industry
about the hotel
history of the hotel
and the Bucher Wirth family
over 150 years of history and tradition in the hotel industry
1885
Alberto Hassler, a Swiss from Maladers near Chur, arrives in Rome with his family to manage the Hotel New York on Via Bocca di Leone. He renames it Hassler & New York.
1885
Hassler purchases three adjacent buildings located in Piazza Trinità dei Monti from Pio Santarelli for 380,000 francs.
The series of properties enjoyed a charming location, but required major renovation, as the interiors were dark and consisted of a succession of small rooms, one inside the other.
1893
After a year of renovations, Hotel Hassler opens its doors, delighting the many tourists who appreciated the attentive service of the Hassler couple.
1921
Franz Nistelweck, Alberto Hassler’s son-in-law and heir, as well as owner of the Eden and Hassler hotels, enters into partnership with family friend Oscar Wirth.
1936
Nistelweck and Wirth regain full ownership of Hotel Hassler, which until then had been managed by a distant relative of Hassler, Arnold Walty. Although for decades it had been an important landmark for tourists, especially Germans and Swiss visiting Rome, the hotel had suffered under Walty’s perhaps less-than-careful management and was in need of renovation.
1939
Oscar Wirth begins the almost complete demolition and reconstruction of the Hassler. The work was completed thanks only to Wirth’s foresight and determination, as he persistently fought against influential members of the government at the time who opposed the rebuilding of the property.
1944
At the end of World War II, the hotel was requisitioned by the Allies, who established the Supreme Command of the Air Forces there. It reopened to the public only in 1947.
1949
The hotel reopened to civilians and Oscar Wirth took over management.
1948
On a business trip to New York, Oscar Wirth fell in love with Carmen Bucher, great-grandniece of Franz-Josef, the pioneer of the hospitality industry in Europe.
1950
Roberto Wirth is born, destined to become the future of the Hassler.
1964
Oscar Wirth and the descendants of Franz Nistelweck decide to part ways: Oscar Wirth acquires the remaining shares of the Hassler, while the Nistelweck heirs retain ownership of the Eden.
1968
Upon Oscar Wirth’s death, the Hassler passes to his wife Carmen and then to their son Roberto.
1980
Roberto E. Wirth becomes General Manager.
1999
Roberto Wirth acquires a palazzo along the Spanish Steps and, after renovations, opens Il Palazzetto, a wine bar and boutique hotel.
2022
Following the death of Roberto E. Wirth, his children, Roberto Bucher and Veruschka Bucher Wirth, respectively assume the roles of President and CEO.
