The history and charm of “Lovere romana, dal tesoro alla necropoli”
on display from March 2 to June 2
at the Tadini Atelier in Lovere (BG)

The archaeological finds lead on a journey through time to the discovery of Roman Lovere, a town of which no trace remains but which comes back to life thanks to the findings of its vast and rich necropolis

The exhibition “Lovere romana, dal tesoro alla necropoli”, which can be visited for free until Sunday 2 June. Born from an idea by Giovanni Guizzetti, it is curated by Stefania De Francesco and Serena Solano, archaeological officials of the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia, and is promoted and set up by the Municipality of Lovere in collaboration with the Superintendency and the Tadini di Lovere Academy of Fine Arts Foundation and the contribution of the Montano dell’Oglio Catchment Basin Consortium. The exhibition aims to tell the important role of Lovere in Roman times, through the display of some of the most significant finds from the necropolis found in the Valvendra area, along the current Martinoli and Gobetti streets.

In Roman times, in the place now occupied by the town of Lovere, a lively and important center stood, certainly favored by its fortunate position on the lake. However, no trace of this center has yet been found, with the exception of two inscriptions found near the monastery of San Maurizio. This is why the vast necropolis is of exceptional importance for understanding the richness of Roman Lovere and how its inhabitants lived there: the objects brought to light during the excavations tell us of a thriving and important emporium, an offshoot and southern outpost of the Civitas Camunnorum (today’s Cividate Camuno), at the confluence of important communication routes between the Bergamo area, the Sebino and the Camonica valley.

The exhibition itinerary offers a cross-section of Roman Lovere through the archaeological finds that have come to light, from the first casual discoveries at the beginning of the nineteenth century to the discovery, in 1907, of the so-called “treasure”: precious objects in gold and silver, vases and various ornaments preserved at the Archaeological Museum of Milan and which return to the banks of the Sebino for this special occasion, up until the most recent archaeological excavations. The systematic excavation of 2015 brought to light the majority of the tombs, allowing a complete understanding of the necropolis thanks also to the stratigraphic, anthropological and archaeobotanical analyzes carried out. Among the finds that can be admired are necklaces, gold and silver rings with settings and other ornaments, vases and objects of everyday life, lamps and gaming dice. Acting as a backdrop to the exhibition there will be a drawing with a reconstruction of the necropolis against the backdrop of the lake and the surrounding area.

Stefania De Francesco and Serena Solano, curators of the exhibition, underline: «A selection of the precious finds forming part of the so-called Lovere treasure dialogues in the exhibition with some of the most significant grave goods excavated at the sports field between 2013 and 2015. The finds lead on a journey through time to discover Roman Lovere, a town of which no trace remains but which comes to life thanks to the findings of its vast and rich necropolis, used as a burial place for over four centuries between the end of the 1st century BC. and the beginning of the 5th century AD. The focus of the exhibition is twofold: on the one hand there was the desire to make people understand how much archaeological materials can convey and tell, if correctly recovered and contextualised. On the other hand, particular attention was paid to younger visitors, with an educational introduction to the necropolises and funerary rituals and an invitation to observe and play. In the showcases, the objects chosen to accompany the deceased on their journey to the afterlife offer the opportunity to learn about some aspects of daily life and the cultural and commercial liveliness of ancient Roman Lovere, thanks to its strategic position along important communication routes. The necropolis, along the road, invites us to take a journey into the past and to move around the territory, to discover the sites of the Pad Network, the Network of Widespread Archaeological Landscapes, and the nearby Roman Valle Camonica on which Lovere gravitated in ancient times».

The mayor of Lovere Alex Pennacchio states: «The exhibition is without a doubt one of the most significant cultural events of recent decades. The result of a long and passionate work of research and valorization of our archaeological heritage, it offers us the opportunity to admire some of the most beautiful and significant finds found in the necropolis of via Martinoli, one of the most important testimonies of the Roman presence in our territory. These are objects that tell us about the life, culture, religion and art of a civilization that has left an indelible mark on our history. I invite you to visit the exhibition with curiosity and interest, and to let yourself be involved in the charm of Roman Lovere».

The exhibition is open to the public Friday and Saturday, 3pm-7pm; Sundays and holidays, 10:00-12:00; 3pm-7pm.

Entrance is free.

For schools, the visit is by reservation at any time.

Guided tours can be booked at no. 349 4118779 or by writing [email protected].

Exhibition curated by: Stefania De Francesco, Serena Solano, Superintendency of archaeology, fine arts and landscape for the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia

From an idea by: Giovanni Guizzetti

Scientific committee: Stefania De Francesco, Serena Solano, Superintendency of archaeology, fine arts and landscape for the provinces of Bergamo and Brescia; Marco Albertario, Tadini Onlus Academy of Fine Arts Foundation, Lovere

Useful information for disabled access:
to reach the “sala Atelier“, people with disabilities, are invited to contact the Tadini Academy at tel. +39 349 4118779 or by writing at the following e e-mail address: [email protected].