Gargnano Residents File Complaint Over San Francesco Church Bells Noise

In December of last year, six automated bells were installed on the tower of the Church of San Francesco in Gargnano, right at the entrance of the town on Lake Garda. However, the initiative by the parish priest does not seem to have been appreciated by some residents. In recent days, some citizens filed a report with the municipal administration against the sound of the bells, which every morning at 7:30 loud and clear, mark the start of the day with the notes of the Ave Maria.

Conflicts over the bell issue

The people of Gargnano have a conflicted relationship with the bells. A few months ago—including the time when it seemed that the parish priest, don Valerio Scolari, intended to electrify the bell system at San Martino parish—some bell ringers rose in protest. The prospect of electrification was justified by the same priest with the need to ensure a service in case the sacristan felt unable to carry out the demanding task.

Not least, among the concerns were the legal responsibilities in the event of an accident during the concert of the bells when traditional methods are used. Centuries-old traditions and passions faced the risk of disappearing, but the issue was resolved through the commitment of a group of enthusiasts to continue manually ringing the bells during various festivals throughout the year. Gargnano could thus continue to hear the chime of the “ségn.”

The bells of San Francesco

This time, attention is directed to the bells of the other church in Gargnano, that of San Francesco. It is a stunning building founded by some friars at the end of the 1200s, the same religious order credited by tradition with introducing lemon cultivation in the Garda area.

Due to its location close to the historic center, the sound of the bells can disturb residents of the neighboring houses. To reduce discomfort, the hourly chimes have already been eliminated between 10 pm and 7 am; however, this evidently was not enough, and the parish priest has been called into question again.