Fundación Cariplo Funds to Restore Castles and Walls in Alto Mantovano

There will be three projects, as already stipulated in the agreement made between the municipal administrations of the various towns, involving the castles targeted by the initial consolidation works within the framework of the project funded by the Fondazione Cariplo. These are the defensive walls of Cavriana and Castiglione delle Stiviere, and the square located beneath the Rocca of Solferino.

Although the first installment of the grant, which will total 13.5 billion lire over the years, was only 2 billion lire—less than initially forecast—mayors and councilors from the morainic municipalities have decided to proceed with all three interventions regardless.

This was decided at an operational meeting attended by representatives from Castiglione, Solferino, Cavriana, Volta, Monzambano, and Ponti. Immediate implementation of the executive projects can now be drafted, and consequently, works will commence.

Priorities and allocation of the funds

Urgent action is needed in Cavriana, where the castle faces stability issues, while in the town of San Luigi, consolidation of the city walls will take place.

For these two municipalities, given the allocation of only 2 billion lire, the available funds have been slightly reduced. However, no cuts are planned for Solferino: since it involves the redevelopment of a square called Castello, the work could not be divided into smaller parts.

Positive comments have come from the administrators, who have decided to allocate the next tranche of the Cariplo funds to the other three towns currently excluded. “A virtuous cycle has been set in motion,” said the deputy mayor of Castiglione, Bertoli.

It is also worth highlighting the harmony among the municipalities of Alto Mantovano and the cultural and tourist value of this operation.” The Urban Planning Councillor of Solferino, Germano Bignotti, also expressed satisfaction: “This is a very important step for us. The arrangement of Piazza Castello was already included in the public works plan from 2001, and these 750 million lire in non-repayable funds are a significant contribution to our budget.” Now there are two years to utilize the funds and request reimbursement from the Fondazione, with the second tranche possibly arriving in less than a year.