On May 24, 2024, at 5 p.m., the refectory of the convent of the Church of the Inviolata in Riva del Garda will host the presentation of a new book entitled “The Convent of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria Inviolata in Riva del Garda”. This book, edited by Cinzia D’Agostino and enriched by the contributions of Marina Botteri, Giuseppe Fusari, Luca Gabrielli, and Mauro Grazioli, is published by the UMSt Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and Activities.
The presentation event will begin with greetings from the Vice President and Provincial Councilor for Education, Culture and Sports, Family Policies, Youth, and Equal Opportunities. Franco Marzatico, the General Manager of the UMSt Superintendence, will also be present. A musical interlude will be offered by the Bonporti Conservatory, with Sonia Tedla on soprano and Tarcisio Battisti on harpsichord, performing pieces by Claudio Monteverdi.
The book provides a detailed exploration of the history of the Inviolata and its monastery through previously unpublished documents discovered during the recently completed restoration works by the Autonomous Province of Trento. The essays in the book focus on various aspects, including the prestigious patronage of the noble Madruzzo family, the overall architecture of the monastery complex, the functional organization of the interior spaces, and their transformations over time.
The convent was built approximately ten years after the sanctuary and has been a hub for religious, social, and educational activities. Originally entrusted to the Hermits of St. Jerome, who were associated with the Madruzzo cardinals, it later passed to the Conventual Franciscans in the 19th century and then to the Sisters of the Institute of the Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The essays also delve into the iconographic and artistic aspects of the decorative ensemble primarily created by the Girolamini friars in the 1630s. Special attention is given to the paintings by Pietro Ricchi, which offer new interpretative perspectives. Furthermore, the pictorial cycle in the sacristy is illustrated, featuring sacred representations related to the church’s particular dedication.
Thanks to the recent restoration, it has been possible to rediscover the pictorial cycle in the cloister, which narrates the life stories of St. Jerome, created by Giovanni Antonio Italiani.
Another interesting chapter concerns the bronze fountain originally located in the cloister but transferred to Austria before returning to Trentino in the 1920s in the collections of the Buonconsiglio Castle.
The research has brought to light previously unpublished documents, such as an 18th-century manuscript written by a Girolamini prior, which provides a detailed chronology of the history of the convent and its precious library. These new findings significantly contribute to the historical and artistic understanding of one of the most important religious complexes in the Trentino region.
Italian Version
