Tyrolean Reenactment Revives 1631 Olive Grove Legacy in Arco

A story that begins long ago and, in some ways, echoes the voting of the “Twelve Saturdays” recently rediscovered in Dro. In 1631, the year of the great plague across Tyrol, Archduchess Claudia Augusta established a legacy whereby Magnifico Giacomo Gardumo of the County of Arco committed to manage an olive grove in Prabi, at the locality of S. Apollinare, from which oil was to be produced for a perpetual lamp in the Church of Our Lady of Loretto in Hall, in Tyrol. The vow, like many others, was lost over the centuries, until it was revived last year by the Compagnia Schützen of Arco, which visited Hall with olive branches.

Historical reenactment and tradition

A gesture highly appreciated by the Tyrolean parish, to the point that it invited the Arcese Company to repeat the gesture again this year. And the Schützen didn’t need to be asked twice. They will respond to the letter from Tyrolean dean Walter Aichner with a group trip scheduled for April 9, the fifth Sunday of Lent, as part of the historical reenactment program of the archduchess’s vow.

The mayor of the Tyrolean town has already extended his welcome to those from Arco who will reach the Chapel of Loreto. Sign-ups are already open, and the first will arrive tonight at the Casinò di Arco, where the second Schützenball, the ball of the Schützen, is scheduled to take place.