Restoration of Santissima Trinità Frescoes Highlights Cultural and Tourism Revival
Restoration completed for the ancient frescoes of the Santissima Trinità chapel in Piazza del Porto. An official ceremony attended by many authorities in the tourism sector, local and provincial political representatives, showcased a preview of the restoration work on the ancient frescoes and interior walls of the oratory of Santissima Trinità, the “noble church probably dating back to 1401”, as explained by Gardesano historian Giuliano Sala. He, in collaboration with the municipal library, prepared a booklet that details the history of the ancient church and its frescoes, now fully restored thanks to the work of Erminio Signorini.
Alongside the mayor of Torri Alberto Vedovelli, vice mayor Giorgio Bonoldi, and the cultural counselor Daniela Peroni, the official presentation of the restoration was attended by provincial tourism assessor Davide Bendinelli and the president of the Lake Tourist Promotion Agency Enrico Merenda, along with other authorities. “The work on the church’s frescoes and, even earlier, on all the capitals of the area’s territory,” explained Mayor Alberto Vedovelli, “was done quietly, but it was of significant cultural importance for the recovery of popular art heritage that was at risk of disappearing forever. It is truly a source of pride for all citizens to have this heritage fully restored today.”
Cataloging and restoration activities over time
Starting in 1996, on the advice of the municipal library, a program of cataloging and subsequent restoration of all votive images distributed across the territory was initiated. The project culminated in an exhibition that received considerable praise, and in subsequent years, a “conservation restoration” of the same capitals within the municipal area was undertaken, again by Erminio Signorini.
This effort was also featured on postcards and postal cancels, printed for the occasion by the local philatelic and numismatic circle, led by Franco Pezzi. Thus, the capitals of Torri, besides being included in a book published in the meantime, could “travel” the entire globe, remembered through postcards and postal marks. Last year, the municipal administration allocated funds, in addition to receiving contributions from the Province and Cariverona, for the restoration of the Santissima Trinità church and its precious frescoes.
The work was overseen by architect Marco Arfellini and was assisted by the availability of ancient documents loaned by Giuseppe Lorenzioni, president of the Unione Gardesana Albergatori Veronesi and owner of Hotel Gardesana, the inn located in the historic Gardesana dell’Acqua Council, adjacent to the church. Also contributing was English painter James Ellis, a longtime resident of Torri, who helped restore an old altarpiece, now displayed inside the church.
Visits and subsequent initiatives
“Until this evening,” explained Daniela Peroni, recapping the milestones of the work carried out from 1996 to today, “it will be possible to visit the exhibition set up with photos of the restored capitals and admire the frescoes inside the church. Then, there will be meetings on January 14 and 21, during which visitors can tour the area and visit the capitals, accompanied by Erminio Signorini.”
Following praise from assessor Bendinelli for the initiative, there was also room for an intervention by Enrico Merenda, president of the Tourism Promotion Agency. “Few municipalities”, he stated, “have undertaken cultural initiatives of this magnitude. We hope that other lake towns will follow this path. The tourism promotion company will distribute tens of thousands of copies of the booklet about this church, translated into various languages. This way, the recovery of popular art will become a reference point for tourists, even at fairs and international exhibitions.”
Gerardo Musuraca
