The ancient Paper route - Along what is still known as the "Valley of the Paper-mills", the paper industry in Toscolano flourished as early as the 14th century. The paper was taken across Lake Garda to Verona, down the Adige River and up the Adriatic Sea to Venice. Due to the quality of its product, Toscolano gradually became one of the most famous centers in Italy, almost equal to Fabriano. Gabriele di Pietro introduced the first print shops in Cecina and Messaga. The Bible which Martin Luther used for his translation into German was printed there in 1487. Some of the most famous printers who worked in Toscolano during the first half of the 16th century were Paganino and Alessandro Paganini.

Opening times:

• March - June, Saturday and Sunday
  10:oo - 12:oo / 15:oo - 17:oo
   
• 1st July - 20th September, from Tuesday to Sunday
  10:oo - 12:oo / 15:oo - 18:oo
   
• 22nd September - 1st November, Saturday and Sunday
  15:oo - 17:oo
   
• The Museum is always open during bank holidays.
• From 2nd November to 1st March 2010 only by advanced booking.

For information and bookings:
tel. 0365 546023 - tel. 0365 641050
info@valledellecartiere.org
www.valledellecartiere.org

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It does not take many words to illustrate the words to illustrate the very interesting features very interesting features along the trail that leads along the trail that leads up Paper-mill Valley and up Paper-mill Valley and from there, via another from there, via another track leading to Gaino track leading to Gaino (274 metres), to Valle (274 metres), to Valle delle Camerate. The ideal starting point for The ideal starting point for a trek up to Mt. Pizzocolo a trek up to Mt. Pizzocolo (m. 1.581) is the bridge over (m. 1.581) is the bridge over the Toscolano river. Proceed in a westerly direction up the valley, which once contained a number of paper mills, as far as the locality called Gatto, just before Luseti. The dirt track takes you past some interesting places that bear witness to the age-old history of the paper industry on Lake Garda: Garde, Maina Inferiore, Maina Superiore, Vago and Caneto. Further on, come Contrada and Covoli. These important names were known to the Doges of the Republic of Venice and to the royals of Spain who bought here the precious material they used for recording official deeds. In the valley of the Toscolano river, the paper industry goes back several centuries. It generated a flourishing economy in which business skills were put to the test in creating an industry which provided a salary for the large families that counted on the many paper mills to earn a living. Further up, in "Valle delle Camerate", is another cluster of buildings that were once efficiently-run forges and mills. These remains, too, deserve more recognition for what they are worth. Proof of the fact that "Valle delle Cartiere" is fortunately and deservedly being revalorised are two initiatives that were launched last autumn. The first concerns the little Maino Inferiore paper mill, a factory that continued operating until the nineteen sixties. The rooms that once formed the gate-keeper's residence have now been converted into a Paper Museum. This initiative was promoted by the Toscolano paper-mill and sponsored by the town council and the provincial authorities. The museum was set up due to the devotion and hard work of the Group of Former Employees of the Toscolano Paper-Mill. This interesting exhibition includes photos and relics, tools and reconstructions of the art that was papermaking. The Museum is open from 15th June to 15th September on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Entrance is free. The museum focuses on four fundamental aspects: memory and recollection, two rooms on the ground floor, followed by manufacturing and watermarks upstairs. There is no lack of curious exhibits such as a thousand-lire note printed in 1948, at a time when Toscolano was still producing paper for bank-notes. Or a 19th th century compass used for tracing the "pulleys". Other interesting exhibits are special machines used in paper-making - a "super-calender", a "Dutch press" and a "knotter" dated 1920, as well as a die-cutter and a mixing mill that was used until recently for mashing the raw material.

The art of paper making
The inauguration of the Museum was followed by a remarkable event, nearby excavations at Gatto which unearthed an ancient paper-mill, four separate rooms buried until a few months ago by soil and rock. It took three weeks' hard work to clear the area and bring to light what is left of the building. Most of the excavation work was carried out by the Voluntary Ecological Guards and the Friends of Sport and the Park Environment. The Toscolano Maderno town council commissioned the Riviera Archaeological Association to do the job, which was directed by the archaeologist Giampietro Brogiolo and the Brescia Superintendence for Architecture and Landscape. Students from the University of Padua, under Lisa Cervigni, took turns during the three-week dig, clearing the floor space and channels, and perform general consolidation work. The paper-mill, thought to have been abandoned three centuries ago, dates back to the 16th century and clearly collapsed at several points. The building comprises four rooms with arches, walls, floors, channels, two parallel ditches and other features typical of paper-making facilities. This important project is the first of its kind in the province of Brescia. And the idea is not to stop here though much has already been done but rather to continue in the same direction to achieve a result that enhances the attraction of the whole of the valley. It is hoped that these historical buildings will one day form the focal point of an archaeological and industrial park set in exceptional surroundings against a backdrop of luxuriant vegetation the basic ingredients to create a harmonious blend of past and present.

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Text: Bruno Festa
Photo: Lagodigardamagazine.com®
Publisher: Lago di Garda - Acherdo