Padenghe to Restore Ancient Church, Roman Villa, and Castle
“An archaeological park that includes the Castle, the Sant’Emiliano chapel, and the remaining Roman villa, which for now remains buried.” The proposal was launched during a meeting promoted by the Fondo per l’Ambiente Italiano, held right in the ancient parish church of Sant’Emiliano (dating back to the mid-1100s), by the mayor of Padenghe, Giancarlo Allegri.
A proposal, to be honest, that had already surfaced some time ago. But it is now made official, as the municipal administration will take charge of it. This is thanks to FAI, but above all to those, past and present, who have shown sensitivity and perseverance in the long effort to awaken consciences and recover these three great testimonies, even though one of them – the Roman villa – has yet to be revealed.
The key figures and initial interventions
One of the first to “rediscover” the Sant’Emiliano church was the late lawyer Paolo Mazzardi, president of the Cassa rurale di Padenghe. “It was 1965,” recalls with a hint of emotion the then bank director, Cav. Sandro Pasini, “and the president managed to raise the initial funds to give the church a proper arrangement.” Then it was the turn of the parish priest Don Bruno Negretto, who enhanced what had been the town’s sole parish until the 1500s.
How? First, persuading the Verona Curia not to incorporate it into its assets, leaving it instead under the direction of the local parish. Then, initiating the first significant restorations: the roof, the flooring, some repairs. Certainly, a small effort compared to the needs, but it preserves this beautiful Romanesque church to this day.
Finally, the local FAI branch, led by Walter Romagnoli, “a Milanese by origin but Padenghese for thirty years out of love,” as he himself emphasizes, is developing an ambitious project that envisions the radical recovery of the church, total renovation of the farmstead (currently inhabited by a farming family), to transform it into a place of worship, an ecclesiastical library, and a venue for cultural and meditative meetings.
The spaces are indeed substantial, and the view from this promontory over Lake Garda is unparalleled. But the most notable news comes from the patient research conducted by scholar and archaeologist Professor Giancarlo Quaglia, who confirmed the existence of frescoes of extraordinary historical and artistic value beneath the walls of Sant’Emiliano.
They are almost certainly from the 1300s, and a partial recovery seems possible. Lastly, the Roman villa, dating back to the 1st century AD, is of the “thermal” type, as water systems and pools have been identified. Moreover, it is located in a sun-exposed area on all four sides. And it is well known how refined the tastes of ancient Romans could be.
Near the villa, for younger readers’ reference, was supposed to pass the circle road of Padenghe. The road would have split the territory between the church and the buried villa, creating one of the worst vandalism scenes imaginable. Fortunately, the Superintendence halted this process, and the bypass was moved to the other side.
FAI presented a model of the restoration of the church and the “canonical” residence in front of many authorities: Hon. Adriano Paroli, regional councilor Franco Nicoli Cristiani, Mayor Allegri, archaeologists, the president of Garda Uno, Guido Maruelli (a sponsor of many initiatives), Father Negretto, and Professor Andrea Nodari.
Professor Nodari, a local history scholar, will present the publication “Padenghe sul Garda. At the roots of a community” on December 22 in the municipal hall.
Along with Walter Romagnoli, he also recalled how the former canonical house was inhabited by mice, hens, rabbits, and overgrown weeds. Gradually, the canonical house has been cleaned up, but it still needs to be fully reconstructed.
Just a few hundred meters away stands the magnificent castle, built around 1100 to defend against the Hungarians. This small hillside overlooking Lake Garda may, therefore, host three astonishing historical-artistic testimonies that could turn into a winning card for Padenghe.
It will take years, perhaps decades, unfortunately, to restore these sites to their former glory: but at least some are beginning to speak about it. Today, the Sant’Emiliano church is not even marked. There is only a dirt trail along the road.
As a first concrete step, at least a sign should be put up indicating its location, and it should be possible to open the little church for a few hours on weekends, thanks to volunteers, to encourage the first tourists to visit it.