A new cultural initiative is about to come to life in Toscolano Maderno, on the shores of Lake Garda. On Saturday, June 29, 2024, a cultural walk will take place in the historic Valle delle Cartiere, followed by a visit to the Paper Museum. This event concludes an educational project carried out by students from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Brescia.
The project, called “La Valle incaRtata,” involves students from the Master’s degree program in Linguistic Sciences (Management, Entrepreneurship, and Communication for Global Tourism). During the course on International Promotion and Valorization of the Territory, the students created multilingual promotional material for the Paper Museum and the Valle delle Cartiere. The brochures were written in Italian, English, German, and Chinese, and will be distributed in the cities of Brescia, Mantua, and Cremona thanks to the collaboration with the Municipal Administration of Toscolano Maderno.
The cultural walk will start at 9:00 am from the Toscolano Library. Participation is free and open to all interested parties. The students will present the work carried out during the project before heading to the Valle delle Cartiere for an immersive walk through local history. At the end of the walk, it will be possible to visit the Paper Museum with an entrance ticket costing 7 euros.
The project was officially presented on December 13 at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Brescia. Institutional figures such as Mayor Chiara Chimini and Museum Director Silvia Merigo participated in the conference. Academic representatives such as Professor Lucia Mor and Enrica Peracin were also present, along with members of the Elderly Workers Association of the Cartiera di Toscolano.
The initiative involved collaboration between various local entities: the management of the Paper Museum, university students, the Municipality of Toscolano Maderno, and the Observatory for Tourism on Lake Garda. This synergy allowed not only the creation of promotional material but also the organization of the event itself.
The paper production in the Valle delle Cartiere dates back to the 14th century, thanks to the water power provided by the local stream. During the time of the Republic of Venice, this area was one of the main paper production centers until its decline following the fall of the Serenissima in the 18th century. Today, the ruins of the ancient paper mills that once dotted the valley are still visible.
Among these historical structures, the Maina Inferiore paper mill stands out. It has been restored thanks to the joint efforts of the municipality and various local associations such as the Elderly Workers Association of the Cartiera di Toscolano. Now converted into a museum, it offers interactive and educational tours on the local paper history.
The project “La Valle incaRtata” is dedicated to the memory of Umberto Cavesti, a volunteer who made a significant contribution to the Paper Museum until his recent passing.
Italian Version
