Società Cooperativa Ballarò
Since 2014 Residence Le Benedettine has been run by Società Cooperativa Ballarò under a concession from the University of Pisa. Ballarò is a cooperative founded by university students that has worked in hospitality for more than twenty years.
The Residence and the University of Pisa
The Residence is the University of Pisa’s guesthouse: the University decides what it is for and who may stay. As concession holder, Ballarò runs it day to day: reception, rooms, cleaning, quotes and bookings.
University of Pisa oversight. Every email sent to info@residence.unipi.it is automatically forwarded to benedettine@unipi.it, the mailbox through which the University monitors how the Residence is run.
A cooperative born at university
Ballarò was founded in Palermo in September 2005 by a student association of the University of Palermo. Its first job was summer hospitality in the student residences of ERSU, the regional agency for the right to study.
In 2007 the cooperative won the City of Ferrara’s tender to run the Ostello Estense, and in 2008 it opened Gowett in Campiglia Marittima. Today it runs the four hostels of the Student’s Hostel network, in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, and Residence Le Benedettine.
Accoglienti per cultura
“Welcoming by culture” is the cooperative’s motto. From the start its aim has been to create work and opportunities for young graduates through cooperation, with simple, well-kept hospitality. Ballarò is a worker cooperative: its members are the people who work in it.
The Student’s Hostel network
«Ostelli per la gioventù di tutte le età»Youth hostels for all ages
Student’s Hostel is the brand under which Ballarò runs its hostels: four destinations in Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, managed directly by the cooperative rather than franchised. Each hostel has its own character; the way of working and the care for travellers are the same.
The hostels welcome individual travellers and families, school trips, groups (associations, sports teams, choirs, universities) and tour operators. Residence Le Benedettine has a different purpose: it is the University of Pisa’s guesthouse.
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Student’s Hostel della Ghiara
Reggio EmiliaOn the first floor of the Chiostro della Ghiara: the largest property in the network.
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Student’s Hostel Estense
FerraraIn the Renaissance quarter, a short walk from the Castello Estense; the city walls can be ridden by bike.
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Student’s Hostel Parma
ParmaIn the Emilian university city, where the centre is a fifteen-minute walk from the station.
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Student’s Hostel Gowett
Campiglia MarittimaOn the hill of Campiglia Marittima, close to the sea and the Baratti and Populonia Archaeological Park; the hostel restaurant serves dinner every evening.
Alongside the hostels, the cooperative also runs restaurants.
Gender equality
Since 23 May 2025 Ballarò has been certified for gender equality under the UNI/PdR 125:2022 standard. The certification covers the cooperative’s sites, including Residence Le Benedettine on Lungarno Sidney Sonnino.
The gender equality policy, approved on 22 April 2025 by the Board of Directors and the Steering Committee and reviewed every year, commits to zero tolerance of discrimination and harassment, equal opportunities, equal pay, support for parents, and balance between work and private life.
Certificate no. 22067-PG issued by Kiwa Cermet Italia (Accredia accredited), valid from 23 May 2025 to 22 May 2028, with annual surveillance.
39 people work at Ballarò; 59% of them are women.
Company details
- Company name
- Società Cooperativa Ballarò
- Registered office
- Via Niccolò Garzilli 34, 90141 Palermo
- VAT number
- 05450820823
- Chair and legal representative
- Massimiliano Lombardo
- Administration
- amministrazione@ballaro.org
- Certified email (PEC)
- ordini.ballaro@legalmail.it
- Website
- www.ballaro.org
For stays and information about the Residence, write to info@residence.unipi.it.