Recently, the Gargnano Coast has regained attention due to a groundbreaking research project by historian Bruno Festa, which explores the history of Jews during the Nazi persecution. This investigation, initiated by Tullio Righettini and Remo Franzoni, recounts the story of a Jewish family that managed to escape the Holocaust. The narrative begins on December 11, 1943, when a group of refugees, including Bernardo Bembassat and Elisa Bottor, seeks refuge in the village’s rectory to evade imminent arrest and deportation.
The encounter with the priest Don Federico Bertola marks a pivotal moment: the couple receives baptism as a strategy for salvation in a context rife with fear and betrayal. The story highlights the courage of locals who helped Jews hide from the Nazis. While some documents and testimonies have been gathered, questions remain regarding other aspects of the events. This first chapter of a four-part series provides a significant glimpse into the difficulties faced by those trying to survive in such dark times.
