Sirmione in the 20th Century: Research, Stories, and Local Heritage
For the residents of Sirmione, especially those still blessed with hair on their heads, a gift is on its way. A book, written by Giordano Signori, a municipal assessor and journalist, enriched with photographs collected by Stella Rosa, an architect who recounts the last hundred years of Sirmione’s history.
Featuring many unpublished stories and tasty episodes patiently recorded through testimonials from individuals nearing ninety or eighty years old, whose lucidity has allowed the transmission, across half a century or more, of many stories and characters that would have made this locality great several decades later. This is precisely the merit of Giordano Signori and Stella Rosa.
Book presentation and distribution
The book, titled «Sirmione in the Twentieth Century», will be distributed free of charge on November 4th at the Palacongressi, during a presentation to the residents. The two authors ceded it to the administration, which, with a modest expense, had it printed.
The other evening, the initiative was presented at «Vecchia Lugana», attended by, in addition to the authors, mayor Maurizio Ferrari and vice Alessandro Mattinzoli.
Note that the current manager of the venue, Pierantonio Ambrosi, is depicted in a photo dressed as a young footballer in the ranks of Us. Sirmione before a final match held in Brescia. It is said he was once considered a promise, but he later became a professional restaurateur.
Stories and characters from Sirmione’s history
The nostalgic stories of Sirmione are rich with tales and characters. An early preview of Tangentopoli occurred in 1918 right in Sirmione, orchestrated by then-mayor Giacomo Boari, who was later investigated by the Prefect over 500 lire he received, then re-elected through a stratagem (he simply wouldn’t resign: Italy hasn’t changed much…), and eventually disappeared from the scene.
For certain contracts, the post-World War I mayor was accused by the police, unable to provide valid explanations.
Flipping further through the pages, there’s a memory of a major brawl between young people from Colombare and Rivoltella over a women’s issue. It was 1927, and Tullio Bazzoli recounts the event. Where today’s «Nonsolobar», managed by Mrs. Wilma, once was the Salone Ballila, a dance hall frequented by the «gnari» of Sirmione and surroundings.
One Sunday afternoon, a fierce fight broke out, requiring intervention by the Carabinieri, who even had to fire into the air to separate the opposing factions. Many ended up in jail.
Events and testimonies from World War II and its aftermath
From testimonies from the post-war period, it is known that there was no hunt for fascists in Sirmione. Likewise, there were no reports of violence or abuses by Nazi-fascist occupying troops, who actually helped many impoverished families escape hunger.
Furthermore, we cannot forget a dramatic episode we experienced just a few weeks ago: the flood of the Po River. Between November 14 and 17, 1951, the year of the Po disaster in Polesine, many Sirmione boatmen reached the Rovigo area aboard an open van to assist the displaced.
Historical significance and cultural heritage
Signori and Rosa’s work is a small milestone in the history of the locality. Because it recounts the last century, a period during which no one dared to intervene. Yet, it is the most extraordinary century for Sirmione — because it projected it onto the global stage.