Toscolano Maderno Paper Mills Valley to Feature Newly Planned Museum Development
The first project in the Toscolano Maderno paper mills valley, all owned by the municipality, concerns the creation of the Paper Museum, to be set up in the gatehouse of the former Maina Inferiore plant. “A structurally sound building from the standpoint of the perimeter walls” – explained surveyor Ugo Colosio, who examined the intervention in detail. “We only need to replace the wooden roof, clear the undergrowth, lay the flooring, and install electrical systems and the sanitary facilities.”
We could arrange the four rooms as follows: in the first, where the fireplace is located, place a guard with leaflets and illustrative material; in the second, display cases with various objects. Upstairs, the room with TV footage and the sale of cassettes or books, and a space for watermarks, with special lighting.”
Themes and Work Plan
“Construction will begin in 2-3 months” – explained Mayor Paolo Elena. “We are proceeding with the bureaucratic procedures, according to the Merloni law. The Province Administration has allocated 200 million lire, some of which will be used for the museum. The project, already approved and (as mentioned) financed, is part of a broader effort to recover the entire valley.”
In fact, a comprehensive study was prepared by Carlo Simoni and Luciano Lussignoli on behalf of the Alto Garda Mountain Community (Comunità Montana Parco Alto Garda), divided into 13 sectors. To establish some starting points, in agreement with the Region, the Ministry, and the two Superintendencies (Environmental and Archaeological), we have decided to hold a high-level conference.
Conference and Public Meetings
Thus, on March 3rd, in the middle school auditorium, following greetings from the mayor and Sylvia Righini Ponticelli, Superintendent of Brescia, speakers will include Simoni (“The natural environment of the valley“), Michele Conti (“Geological characteristics: identifying issues and intervention forecasts“), Gianpietro Brogiolo (“Archaeological research and site interpretation“), Luca Gnali (“Reuse hypotheses and funding policies“), Luisa Pedrazzini and Marilena Baggio (“The role of the Region for a new territorial programming“), Paolo Nastasio (“Interventions by the Mountain Community-park“), an expert from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage (“Our commitment to environmental restoration of the valley“), and one from the Province (“Work museums“).
In the afternoon, at the paper mill conference room, Luigi Mancini, President of the Alta Val Trompia Mining Park Agency, Pier Paolo Poggio, Scientific Director of the Micheletti Foundation, Giampaolo Treccani (“Protection of lesser-known sites around Lake Garda“), and Girolamo Marchi, CEO of the factory, will speak.
After the discussion with the Senior Workers Group and associations (“Cecina Promotion“, “Friends of Luseti“), closing remarks will be made by Alberto Cavalli, President of the Province.
Work Status and Issues
However, the mayor is at his wit’s end. “We should have held a second day with guided tours in the valley” – Elena said. “Instead, we are in turmoil due to the ongoing works started by the Mountain Community, which have been halted for several months. A company was supposed to insulate the three tunnels. Since the concrete mixer couldn’t pass, they excavated 40-50 centimeters, lowering the road level. Later, due to the rains, they stopped.”
“I have been calling the Mountain Community headquarters for a long time, urging them to resume work. But it seems they know nothing. The road is impassable, and now even the Post Office refuses to deliver letters to the few families living inside the valley. An untenable situation. We have now issued an ultimatum. We intend to proceed ourselves. This is not the end.”