Grand Hotel La Sonrisa, seals are in place: the confiscated building was evacuated this morning.

Sant'Antonio Abate – The seizure and forced eviction of the Grand Hotel "La Sonrisa," the historic property complex in Sant'Antonio Abate that has also become famous on TV, began this morning.

The order, issued by the preliminary investigations judge of the Torre Annunziata Court at the request of the Public Prosecutor's Office, follows the process that saw the structure confiscated for alleged illegal development and acquired by the local authority.

The intervention involves officers from the Sant'Antonio Abate Municipal Police, supported by the Public Safety Commissioner and the Carabinieri of the Castellammare di Stabia Company.

Law enforcement has already sealed off the offices and commercial premises, installing seizure signs at the main entrance. At the same time, they are moving to remove those present and, in the next phase, remove the furniture and equipment.

The legal process and the revocation of licenses

The preliminary investigations judge's decision represents the final act of a long and complex administrative and judicial process:
Confiscation: With a ruling by the Court of Appeal of Naples dated June 14, 2022 (which became final on October 15, 2024), the confiscation of the complex and the land was ordered for the crime of illegal subdivision.
The municipal acquisition:

Between spring and autumn 2024, the City Council established compensation for the occupation of the structure and initiated the procedures for the transcription and acquisition of the property, formalized by the Naples Conservation Office in April 2026.

Business suspension: In December 2024, the SUAP revoked the business licenses for the restaurant and hotel businesses. The owners' appeal was rejected by the Campania Regional Administrative Court in May 2026, while the Council of State denied the precautionary suspension on July 8.

The expiration of the terms and the crime of invasion

Despite the ordinance of the Municipality of Sant'Antonio Abate requiring the vacating of the premises within 60 days (deadline expired on July 11, 2026), the properties were not spontaneously handed over.

In light of the failure to comply, the Prosecutor's Office and the Preliminary Investigations Judge charged the defendant with the crime of invasion of land or buildings (Articles 633 and 639-bis of the Criminal Code). According to recent rulings from the Court of Cassation, this offense applies to any case of unauthorized and unauthorized occupation of another's property, including when the previous owner continues to occupy the property that was confiscated and transferred to a public entity.

The forced seizure

Given that this is a continuing offense, the judge deemed the precautionary seizure mandatory to avoid worsening the consequences. The deployment of law enforcement had been decided on July 16th at the Provincial Committee for Public Order and Security. Since the suspects were already fully aware of the obligation to release the properties, the seizure proceeded directly without further notice.

The Prosecutor's Office clarifies that the seizure order remains appealable before the Review Court and that, since the proceedings are in the preliminary investigation phase, the suspects are presumed innocent until a final conviction is issued.