Historical Charitable and Educational Initiatives in Toscolano-Maderno

During the Seventeenth century, recurrent wars over succession and plagues impoverished the populations of Garda, making life even more difficult for the most vulnerable. In Maderno, furthermore, the contrast between the rich and the poor was intensified by the presence of Gonzaga and their courtiers, flaunting achievements and… misdeeds that made them disliked by the locals.

Therefore, the initiative of those like Cristino Cristini and his successors, who left assets through which, in 1612, a commissary was established to provide dowries for young women about to marry, appears particularly commendable.

Also significant is the legacy of Alcherio Alcheri, which in 1636 enabled, among other things, the provision of bread to the poor for a year. In 1647, attention was also given to Giorgio Aquilani, whose endowment allowed for dispensing salt and “marrying off honest but needy young women.”

They were imitated by Girolamo Monselice, who allocated 300 lire, and Carlo Setti, who bequeathed funds to acquire bread. The recurring aid and the primarily sustenance-based nature of these gifts highlight how necessary charitable interventions were, even in places considered among the most thriving and frequented along the Garda Riviera.

Charitable Works and Educational Initiatives Over Time

However, that needs were extensive and widespread even at the end of Eighteenth century is demonstrated by the work of Cristoforo Benamati, founder of a school in Maderno capable of accommodating local youth, as well as those from nearby cities, Venice, and Trentino.

The name of Cristoforo Benamati is certainly the most well-known among the benefactors of Toscolano-Maderno, also because his Institution has been able to equip itself over time with a collegiate house and, having benefited in the early Twentieth century from the brothers Giovan Battista and Ettore Bianchi, became an affiliate of the government schools.

Around 1860, another school building thanks to charitable generosity was the Visintini nursery school in Toscolano: initial benefactors included Andrea Maffizzoli, Antonio Samuelli, and Giovanni Visintini, a family that distinguished itself in the early decades of the Twentieth century with initiatives such as supporting the Drawing School opened in the Gonzaga Palace in Maderno.

In those years, Carlo Visintini, president of the Casino of Toscolano, saw the realization of his ideas in a place mostly frequented by the wealthier and more cultured classes.

But once again it is worth mentioning the Bianchi brothers, deserving for promoting, about eighty years ago, the construction of the Casa di riposo, recently expanded through the donation of another generous benefactor: Camillo Sacerdoti.

The successful Milanese industrialist Sacerdoti, who died in 1969, chose to spend the last part of his life in Maderno. As a guest of the Casa di riposo, and a guest of respect, enjoying some freedom, he used to take trips on the lake.

From a trip to the Garda Island, he never returned because, mysteriously, he fell from a motorboat and disappeared into the depths of the waters. A street on which the House that hosted and benefited him is dedicated bears his memory.

Paolo and Angelo Elena are instead remembered for the naming of the Casa della gioventù, established following their decisive contribution in 1962.

From earlier times, the works carried out in the hillside hamlets have also emerged, where their presence was valuable to alleviate widespread hardships in small isolated communities, which lacked communication roads.

This is the case of Cecina and Messaga, to which in 1630 Giuseppe Botti allocated his estate, while in 1815 it was Andrea Bonetti who arranged for his house to host the nursery.

The Gaino Kindergarten was also founded through a beneficent act, as remembered by the dedication to «Lucilla Maffizzoli», distinguished for starting and promoting the paper mills: facilities that, variably located and modernized, have preserved a tradition of work that has provided well-being to many families of Toscolano-Maderno.