Santa Maria di Lovernato | Javier Atoche Intili

Between 2021 and 2024, the historic village of Lovernato, located in the Brescia area of Ospitaletto, underwent a comprehensive programme of restoration, public space enhancement, and cultural revitalisation promoted by the Municipality of Ospitaletto with funding support from the Lombardy Region.

At the heart of the project stands the Church of Santa Maria, a landmark deeply rooted in the local community and a significant testimony to the area’s historical heritage. The restoration of the church became the catalyst for a broader strategy aimed at regenerating the village and strengthening its cultural identity. The intervention was preceded by extensive historical research, architectural surveys, and diagnostic investigations, undertaken to understand the building’s evolution and identify the causes of deterioration affecting its conservation.

The works included the consolidation of the church roofs and bell tower, seismic improvement measures, the renewal of rainwater drainage systems, and the installation of permanent maintenance and inspection facilities. Inside the church, the restoration focused on enhancing the readability of the historic interiors through the removal of intrusive elements, the conservation of frescoed surfaces, and the introduction of a new lighting system designed to highlight the artistic and architectural features of the building.

Alongside the restoration works, the project redefined the village’s public realm through the renewal of paving, street furniture, and public lighting, strengthening the relationship between the sanctuary and its surrounding landscape. The completion of the local cycling and pedestrian network further improved accessibility and connectivity with the wider territory.

Combining conservation, accessibility, and digital innovation, the project also introduced a preventive maintenance programme, three-dimensional digital models, virtual tours, and inclusive interpretive tools, transforming a historic site into a shared cultural resource for future generations. To support the dissemination and appreciation of the site, the publication Il borgo di Lovernato e la chiesa di Santa Maria was produced as a cultural and tourist guide, documenting the history, restoration process, and renewed significance of the village and its landmark church.

Credits

Client: Comune di Ospitaletto (BS), RUP Pietro Vavassori, Donato Fontana

Architectural Design, Construction Management, Safety Coordination: Javier Atoche Intili

Design Team: Gonzalo García Duclos, Odaliz Alvarado, Sofía Passaro, Sergio Martire, Carlo Vicentini

Assistant Construction Management: Luisa Copeta

Photogrammetric Survey and Diagnostic Investigations: Dario Benedetti

Scientific Coordination and Preventive Conservation Management System: Smart Conservation Association

Conservation Consultant: Marchetti e Fontanini s.n.c. di Alberto Fontanini

Publication Editor: Francesco Nezosi

Art History Consultant: Enrica Andreis

Archival Research: Matteo Savoldi

Heritage Authority: Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia