Restoration work on the sixteenth-century frescoes on the external façade of the Church of San Bartolomeo in Pegaia will begin on May 29thvoted for the eleventh edition of census “The Places of the Heart”, organized by the FAI-Italian Environment Fund ETS in collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo. The project obtained a contribution of 10,000 euros to the “Places of the Heart” tender in 2023 and involves the restoration of the frescoes created by Christopher II Baschenis (documented between 1472 – 1520), now in a clear state of deterioration, mainly due to the action of atmospheric agents.
In 2022 theAPS Fil de Fer was activated to collect votes on the occasion of the “Places of the Heart” census with the aim of raising awareness among the community about the conditions of the Church of Pegaia which, in addition to the artistic aspect, has a strong identity value for the Valley. As many as 4,521 people chose to support the Church of San Bartolomeo with their vote which placed 1st place in the regional ranking of Trentino Alto Adige and 65th in the national ranking. This important result has allowed the parish of SS Filippo and Giacomo, owner of the propertyto participate in 2023 in the tender that FAI and Intesa Sanpaolo launch after each edition of the census.
The fresco restoration projectwith a total cost of 15,200 euros, was deemed suitable and received a contribution of 10,000 euros from FAI and Intesa Sanpaolo. The intervention involves involvement of local bodies and associations in various capacities: as co-financiers (Municipality of Peio, Asuc Cogolo, Pejo Funivie) or for communication, promotion and valorisation activities (APS Fil de Fer, Stelvio National Park, LINUM Ecomuseo della Val di Peio, Centro Studi per la Val di Sole, Terme di Pejo, Pejo3000 Tourist Consortium, APT Val di Sole). They are expected during the year concerts and polyphonic choirs on site, conferences on history and art, activities with the primary school And periodic visits to the restoration works.
The Church of San Bartolomeo, consecrated in 1512, stands where the village of Pegaia existed until the fourteenth century, whose disappearance is shrouded in mystery. The population of Val di Peio and the surrounding valleys has venerated i deaths of Pegaia with processions and pilgrimages, asking for their intercession in case of famine, plague or war. On the external apse, frescoed by Cristoforo II Baschenis in 1513there is a bishop, at his side the Madonna with the blessing Jesus on her lap and a grandiose Saint Christopher, framed by a frame also frescoed with a Renaissance-style candelabra, placed in a clearly visible position along the road to protect pilgrims.
The Church generally needs restoration; it is hoped that, through greater knowledge of the property amplified by participation in the FAI censusthe recovery of the external frescoes is only the first step for a complete valorisation of the building and for a more in-depth study and account of the events that led to the disappearance of the village of Pegaia, rich and prosperous between the thirteenth century and the first decades of the fourteenth century, when it was suddenly canceled from the revenue book of the Episcopal Principality.
The restoration of the frescoes will be carried out by restorer Giuseppe Delpero And completion of the works is scheduled for October 2024.
The Parish of SS Filippo and Giacomo di Cogolo and the APS Fil de Fer thank FAI and Intesa Sanpaolo for the contribution granted, are grateful to all the organizations and associations that support the fresco recovery project and also to the 4,521 people who with their vote allowed this important result.
“The FAI has chosen to support together with Intesa Sanpaolo the restoration project presented for the Church of San Bartolomeo in Pegaia (TN) due to the objective historical-artistic relevance of the frescoes which require urgent protection work due to their advanced state of deterioration. Furthermore, we recognize the effectiveness of the activity carried out by APS Fil de Fer which was able to draw the attention of the entire community and local institutions to this little jewel, a memory of a local history that needs to be explored and understood, to be told. The FAI’s hope is that participation in the I Luoghi del Cuore Campaign can help attract other new funding, to enhance the entire complex.” commented Federica Armiraglio, FAI Manager of the “Places of the Heart” Campaign
