Between heaven and earth
The origins of the name Malcantone (meaning literally the Bad Canton) is uncertain, but there are three different theories: in the first it is assumed that it is derived from the Latin words «Malus Angulus,» or «Bad Corner», an expression coined by the Bishop of Como who made a pastoral visit, to characterize a region in which the parishioners were not the most devote and showed reticence about paying the tithe. A second speculation is based on the large number of forges and mills, thus believing that the word «Mal» was derived from the German word «Mahlen», meaning to grind. The name Malcantone was coined around 1500 by the confederate regents. Finally Malcantone should also mean treacherous place, since it was a haven for soldiers, deserters, bandits, bootleggers and fugitives, since it is geographical border made it an obligatory crossing point for armies of invaders and barbarians that came from the north to enter into Lombardy. The topographical map made of the Lake of Lugano, drawn between 1712 and 1721, was the also the first official document in which the name Mal Cantone was mentioned.
Miglieglia is rich in history and stories. In the 12th century, the village's existence was first documented under the name "Mullielia". Other names such as Mullielie, Mulelia, Mollielia, Moliella, Muyeyo and Mulielia are also documented. The inhabitants of Miglieglia are nicknamed "i Müi", the mules. The first important oral tradition refers to the furious fire that destroyed the village of Miglieglia on the night of January 18,1478, around 3 o'clock. Only four out of 40 buildings were not damaged. Among them, the first Church of the Apostles Santo Stefano al Colle, which was built around 1444 and has remained almost intact today. In 1621 the municipality obtained a parish church and in the same century a new baroque church was built, with the same name, Santo Stefano.
The foundations for today's Casa Santo Stefano were laid in the 17th century. One part of the house, the "Casa Uva", a former doctor's house, was always inhabited by one family. The other, the "Casa Erbe", served as a bakery with a shop on the ground floor, an osteria on the mezzanine floor and the landlords' flat on the upper floor. In 1986, a private initiative gave rise to the idea of renovating and remodelling these two houses, which were no longer inhabited at the time. The typical and simple style was to be retained. Thus, in May 1988, the new project was opened under the name "Garni Santo Stefano e Centro di formazione e di cultura".
During the first 7 years, the somewhat smaller house, today's "Casa Erbe", was a popular guesthouse for individual guests, mainly hikers and others seeking peace and quiet. The "Casa Uva" with its seminar room was mainly used for seminar guests.
In 1996 there was a change of ownership when Angeli and Christian Wehrli, together with 2 other shareholder partners, took over and continued to run the hotel under the new name "Casa Santo Stefano".
2 years later, the shareholder partners were paid off, thanks to the generous support of friends, relatives and regular guests and the original financial concept "loan against interest in kind".
In 2020, the house between our two houses, the "Casa Trà", was purchased.
As of 1 January 2024, there will be another change at Casa Santo Stefano. After 28 fulfilling years, Angeli and Christian Wehrli have decided to hand over Casa Santo Stefano into "new hands" and hand over responsibility to Cristina Mathis & Matteo Previsdomini. Two experienced and creative people in the yoga and hotel business.
Cristina & Matteo
Via alla Chiesa 25, 6986 Miglieglia
