The entire complex, now municipal property, was once owned by the Astemio family. In 1594, Patriarch Francesco Barbaro expressed his desire to San Daniele for a comfortable home for his frequent visits, given that the old castle palace was uninhabitable.
n 1608, the Astemio family sold the property to the Community for a thousand silver ducats. At the same time, the Patriarch committed to renovating the complex for another five hundred ducats.
The complex thus served as the residence of the Patriarchal Gastaldo in the lower part and as the Patriarchal Court in the part facing the square until 1762, when the last Patriarch Daniele Delfino died.
When Venice took over from the Patriarchate, the complex passed to the State Property of the Venetian Republic, which put it up for auction, returning it to the Astemio heirs, then to the Perosa family of Villanova (a hamlet of San Daniele) in 1769, who, shortly thereafter, sold it to the De Concina family of San Daniele.
In 1781, the complex became the “Locanda alle due spade dello scudo di Francia” (Inn with the Two Swords of the French Shield) and a postal station; in subsequent years, it hosted the Emperor of Austria-Hungary. In 1798, the complex took on the name “Albergo alla Nave” (Hotel at the Ship) and management passed to the Bianchi family of San Daniele. In 1866, the complex took the name “Albergo Italia” (Hotel Italy) and hosted the King’s Commissioner Quintino Stella on his first visit to Friuli.
Heavily damaged by the 1976 earthquake, the complex underwent initial static stabilization work. Subsequently, it became property of the Municipality, where it was completely renovated and now houses the “Biblioteca Moderna” (Modern Library).