Romanesque itineraries along the Via delle Genti and the Via Borromea

Conference to present the current state of research and the latest findings from excavations and restoration work

Cannobio, Palazzo Parasi
Saturday 21 October 2023, 3–6 pm
  

We are pleased to inform our audience of this initiative, which stems from a research project promoted by the Association for the Research and Conservation of Archaeological Artefacts and Artistic, Historical and Bibliographical Heritage, affiliated with the Mergozzo Archaeological Museum (GAM) during the years 2022–2023. This project involved a survey and study of Romanesque churches in the Alto Verbano area and the Cannobina and Vigezzo valleys, carried out with the support of the VCO Community Foundation and using the association’s own funds. This extensive survey and research project, the results of which will be compiled into a guide to the churches, has been entrusted to Eleonora Casarotti, an architectural historian; Chiara Ribolla, an archaeologist; and Stefano Martinella, an art historian.
 
The completion of this project, which has also brought to light some new findings regarding the 20 churches considered to be of Romanesque origin, will be presented at aconference organisedwith the supportof the Unione Lago Maggiore, theMunicipality of Cannobioandthe ‘Culture d’Insieme VCO’ AssociationatPalazzo Parasio in Cannobio,on Saturday 21 October from 3 pm to 6 pm.
The initiative, which benefits from the collaboration ofthe Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Biella, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli, will feature not only a session presenting the current state of research and updates by the three experts who carried out the field survey, will feature a second part in which an account will be given of the new findings that have emerged both from this work and from the archaeological excavations and restoration projects carried out in recent years under the direction of the Superintendency in some of the churches under consideration.

Programme

PROGRESS REPORT
Chaired by: Sara Lyla Mantica, architect and SABAP NO official
 
Historical and geographical context, Chiara Ribolla, archaeologist
 
Religious buildings between the 10th and14th centuries. Some observations on the evolution of construction and architectural features, Eleonora Casarotti, architectural historian
 
Frescoes from the Gothic to the Early Renaissance:narrative cycles and devotional paintings, Stefano Martinella, art historian
 
NEWS FROM EXCAVATIONS AND RESTORATION PROJECTS
Chair: Elisa Lanza, archaeologist at SABAP NO
 
The Old Church of Viggiona. The restoration project funded by the Ministry, Sara Lyla Mantica, architect at SABAP NO 
Initial findings from the excavations inside the church, Elena Poletti Ecclesia and Elena Clerici, archaeologists
 
Sanctuary of the Holy Trinity in Ghiffa:the rediscovered Romanesque bell tower, Eleonora Casarotti, architectural historian
 
The frescoes revealed by restoration work in the sacristy of the Church of San Materno in Orasso
Benedetta Brison, art historian at SABAP NO
Laura Fallarini, conservator
Father Damiano Pomi, Christian art historian – lecturer at the Pontifical Gregorian University

Spolia:reused stone elements from and within the churches analysed, Elena Poletti Ecclesia, archaeologist