Chiara Falconi is a very young student who, some time ago, He wrote a thesis dedicated to the wonderful bell tower located in the church of Santa Maria MaggioreI had the pleasure of meeting her thanks to the activities of theBAC AssociationWhat I appreciated about her was not only her enthusiasm, but also her passion in describing such an important building as the bell tower. I spoke with her about it in an interview in which she participated with great willingness.
Interview with Chiara Falconi
Hi Chiara, thanks for this interview and welcome to itBussolengo. First of all, I wanted to congratulate you on your thesis, which was truly a great success. Can you tell me how it came about? Why did you choose the bell tower?
Hello! Thank you for giving me the space for this interview and for giving me the opportunity to introduce myself and share my thesis.
My encounter with the bell tower was almost accidental. When I was choosing the topic for my thesis with my advisor, Professor Fabio Coden, among the various options presented to me, right in front of us was the bell tower of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bussolengo. Obviously my choice immediately fell on this monument.
I always thought that I would have liked to write my thesis to give prominence to my country and its history. Almost by chance, I found myself confronted with a completely unknown and unstudied architecture.
"Interests and curiosities aimed at rediscovering the history of Bussolengo..."
Therefore, my research arises from personal interests and curiosities, aimed at rediscovering and enhancing the history of Bussolengo. Furthermore, from the desire to highlight how the bell tower and the sound of its bells is the fil rouge which firmly links the present and the past and brings together people who have lived in the same places but in different historical periods.
Certainly the choice to treat oneself the history of the bell tower and trying to date it to the Middle Ages (between the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th) was a challenge. The lack of documentation and sources that covered its history in detail gave me the opportunity to look at the Bell Tower of Santa Maria Maggiore with different eyes. By analyzing its individual sections and the small details that characterize it, I was able to find an alternative approach, based primarily on comparisons with other architectural structures, to propose its place along the timeline.
Why the bell tower of Santa Maria Maggiore deserves to be discovered
Still speaking of the bell tower: what feature fascinated you the most?
Studying, delving deeper and looking into detail I learned about the presence of some zoomorphic heads in the bell tower of Santa Maria Maggiore and anthropomorphic figures that act as supports for the series of hanging arches and as decorations for the central capital of the first level facing the square.
Furthermore, the research led me discovering a hidden part of the bell tower, incorporated into the main body of the church, and in this case too it was possible to find some animal heads, and a portion of the Romanesque church characterised by a series of decorated hanging arches.
Another element that caught my attention and what I would like to have the opportunity to study better, is the coat of arms with a furious bull (square side), which requires further study.
Let's talk a little about Chiara Falconi...
Did you have any particular difficulties in writing your thesis?
It wasn't easy to write a thesis of a building of which there are very few documents which, moreover, begin to emerge from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Therefore, the sources did not give me the opportunity to support my thesis from this point of view.
However, even though it was not easy, I did not get discouraged and I managed to find another way, mainly by making comparisons and analogies with other buildings, I was able to complete my thesis.
The difficulties I encountered were many. However, I am happy that I didn't give up and that I was able to study and tell the story of such an important monument for Bussolengo.
Chiara Falconi's favorite places in Bussolengo
Let's move away from the bell tower and look at Bussolengo from a broader perspective. Is there a place you're particularly attached to? How do you think we could enhance the area?
The place I am most attached to is definitely Square April 26th. It's fascinating how this place fills with life, color, light, and aromas during various festivals and occasions throughout the year.
My fondest memory of this place is linked to the Peace Festival, Organized with the Santa Maria Maggiore Grest and Don Fabiano. On that occasion of celebration and sharing, hundreds of colorful balloons were released into the sky, each personalized with a personal message. It was a truly precious moment, one I still cherish fondly. As for valorization, however, I believe it must begin with the respect and love we have for the places we experience every day.
The territory, the history and the culture They are part of us and to be able to make the most of them it is necessary to study and know them and then share them with as many people as possible, in the hope of conveying their passion and desire to always discover new things.
What does the future hold?
Let's talk a little about yourself. What would you like to do when you grow up? Do you have any dreams?
I am currently attending a master's degree course in Art. I would like to have the opportunity to work in the field of culture and education and have the opportunity to continue to deepen and study the history of art, history, and culture of Verona and Bussolengo.
