Francis the Second, Emperor of Austria, and his brother Leopold, Grand Duke of Tuscany, were the first worthy guests attracted to the lake also by the fame of a certain herbalist. On 17th June 1785, they came to Pescallum to know more about what pharmacology had already spread in their country. While listening carefully under the tender vine leaves to the learned explanations of Mr Nicola Maranesi, the wise chemist, a violent storm broke and lasted for so long that the Emperor and his brother had to accept the unexpected and frugal hospitality they were offered. At that time the building was very similar to the present one. The hall, with its bright black stone floor, and the arches on the ceiling, running to the gleaming opening towards the blue water, were exactly the same they had been. The rooms, on the right side, looked like they used to be, lit up by a close range of window. The dining (sitting) room, once used as laboratory, and mainly the wide and severe staircase, watched by a fifteenth century fresco, were they had always been. The house became a nunnery after the herbs' dealers had gone out of fashion. Whispers and low voices tried to erase the legends and the mysteries the disquieting chemists had helped creating. The evening rosary tried to hide the echoes of scandals that the waves had moved away. From above, the Capuchins' monastery was watching carefully. And then the nineteenth century went by. Pescallum became Pescallo, a fishermen village and a yearned shelter for the first "comballi", kind of boats used to carry goods from bank to bank. The sacred gave place again to the profane and the swear words of the tired and drunk boatmen filled the uncontaminated beauty of the bay. The nuns left a more than ever clean and shining house with a penetrating smell of wax and prayers. Perhaps the severe fresco on the landing was retouched by a romantic girl. And, finally, by the middle of last century, the Pergola started its activities as hotel and restaurant.