Fiesso Umbertiano: An evening of history, faith, and art
A fascinating journey through the centuries, suspended between the magnificence of Ferrara and the elegance of Venice. Friday, June 26, 2026, at 21:00 PM, the splendid setting of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and San Carlo Borromeo in Umbertian Fiesso will host an important cultural evening. An unmissable event to rediscover the historical, artistic, and spiritual heritage of a unique territory.
A border territory shaped by water and history
The very name of Fiesso Umbertiano has its roots in its geography: in fact, it derives from the Latin adjective flexus, indicating the bend of a river. The town has always been lapped by important waterways, such as the Pestrina (one of the historical Fossae Philistinae which ran alongside the current Canalbianco).
This borderland, disputed and shared over the centuries between the Ferrarese lords and the Venetian nobility, was a crucial point already in Roman times. Two major roads converged here: the Via Emilia Altinate and the road that connected Adria with the Alto Polesine. These roads became crucial pilgrimage routes in the Middle Ages, as the name of the town still testifies today. Ospitaletto.
Not far away, in the locality of San Donato, stands the oratory of San Donato di PedrurioBuilt in the early 600th century on the remains of a medieval parish church and dedicated to the Madonna della Salute, the building houses an extraordinary archaeological treasure: a monumental Roman funerary cippus from the 2nd century AD, Dedicated to gens Vibia.
Fiesso Umbertiano, an evening of history, faith, and art: the art treasures of the Archpriest's Church
The real heart of the evening will be the Church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Charles Borromeo, an authentic treasure chest of art that boasts a heritage of exceptional value, including:
- The gilded wooden altar: A fundamental work for understanding the Venetian-Emilian woodcarving tradition and the application of the strict liturgical guidelines that arose after the Council of Trent.
- The coffered ceiling: Looking up to the sky, the central nave is dominated by a rare and majestic wooden ceiling composed of 96 painted chests of drawers from the 17th century, which depict scenes from the life of the Madonna and Saint Charles Borromeo. An artistic treasure unmatched in the entire Polesine area.
The evening's program and speakers
The conference will benefit from the contribution of authoritative experts in the field, who will guide the public in the discovery of these treasures:
- Prof. Marco Chinaglia (local scholar and historian): will report on the topic History, Art, and Faith in Fiesso Umbertiano Over the Centuries.
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Professor Andreina Milan (University of Bologna): will supervise the intervention "Gilt Wooden Altars and Choirs. The Case of Fiesso Umbertiano".
The introduction and coordination of the event will be entrusted to the Dr. Elisa Magro of the Panta Rei Studio in Rovigo.
Looking to the future: the presentation of the restoration project
The evening will not only be a celebration of the monument's past, but also a bridge to its future. The official presentation of the Church restoration project, an intervention made possible thanks to regional funding from the Dgr n.953 Veneto Region FSC 2021-2027 Thematic Area 6 – Culture (dedicated to the valorization and recovery of valuable real estate). The technical details will be illustrated by the appointed designers: thearchitect Silvia Lezziero (Diesse Padus Studio of Polesella) and thearchitect Paolo Tomassetti (Fiesso Umbertiano Architecture Studio).
Music and Institutions
To enrich the event there will be suggestive musical interludes which will make the naves of the church resonate, thanks to the performances of the Masters:
- Paul Lazzarini to the organ
- Francesco Toso (baritone)
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Nicola Rostellato (tenor)
The initiative enjoys the prestigious patronage of theMunicipal Administration of Fiesso Umbertiano and Italia Nostra Association – Rovigo SectionLocal authorities and representatives of the sponsoring bodies will participate in the meeting, demonstrating the strong institutional synergy for the protection and promotion of Polesano culture.
Useful info:
📍 Where: Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fiesso Umbertiano (RO)
📅 When: Friday, June 26, 2026, 21:00 PM
🎟️ Entrance: Free and open to all citizens.
