Voci di Carta. Storie di vita dalla Valle delle Cartiere

For centuries—from the mid-14th century to the 20th century—the Valle delle Cartiere (Paper Mill Valley) was traversed by men, women, and children. Entire families of artisans and entrepreneurs tied their lives to the incessant rhythm of the water and the sound of the hammers. Stories of work, effort, ingenuity, success, but also of failure, loss, and tenacity: memories that deserve to be rediscovered and recounted.
The initiative, which began as a natural continuation of the 2018 exhibition Di acqua e di carta (Of Water and Paper), curated by Lisa Cervigni and Silvia Merigo, aims to give voice to some of these stories through the paper itself created in the Valley, extending the chronological scope of interest to the 20th century.
Starting from historical and archival research conducted on the collections preserved at the Municipal Archives of Toscolano Maderno, housed in the Paper Museum, the aim was to update and deepen knowledge of the productive and social history of the Valley, with particular attention to the peculiarities of the individual paper mills and their development over time.
Paper has always performed the noble function of accommodating writing or drawing, allowing information to be preserved and transmitted. The sheets produced in this valley therefore become not only material evidence of local production, but also an important documentary source that passes on its memory.
The Toscolano Valley is unique in Italy and Europe for its high concentration of paper mills: at certain times in history, there were as many as forty of them, located along the course of the river. Through the analysis of historical documents and iconographic sources, the exhibition provides a detailed picture of economic, social, and technological life, with an approach that combines historical research with the dissemination and promotion of local heritage.
The main section of the exhibition will present some original documents and a selection of period images, to compose a narrative that intertwines history, geography, and memory. A map of time invites visitors to travel up the river, just as travelers, artisans, and merchants did in the past, and to encounter, stage by stage, the stories of the individual paper mills: Garde, Quattroruote, Lupo, Maina Inferiore, Maina di Mezzo, Maina Superiore, Caneto, Vago, Gatto, and Luseti. This journey is not only topographical, but also emotional: every piece of paper, every image, every name brings to light a story, a fragment of life that time had hidden until now.
The second section is dedicated in particular to the incredible developments that took place in the Valley during the 19th century, when a growing need for modernization led to a real revolution in the area: the construction of a carriage road that replaced the ancient and dangerous Sentiero delle Assi (Plank Road), an important change that was also reflected in the architectural and industrial evolution of the paper mills themselves and in the opportunity to showcase to the world a land that until recently had been virtually inaccessible.
Reading between the lines of the documents, stories of work and sacrifice, resourcefulness and success, as well as family ties and individual hopes emerge. The last section of the exhibition, thanks to an immersive layout, highlights some of these testimonies—fragmentary but highly significant—which become the narrative voices of lived experiences. While some events, together with the names of their protagonists, have been preserved thanks to archival documentation, many others have remained silent and many stories have been lost in the flow of time.
This exhibition, according to the curator's intentions, is also dedicated to them: to all those people who, although not mentioned in official documents, have contributed silently but essentially to the construction of the history and identity of this valley.
The exhibition is organized under the patronage of A.S.A.R. (Historical and Archaeological Association of the Garda Riviera).
A number of events dedicated to the themes presented are scheduled:
On Saturday, September 27, at 3 p.m., Silvia Merigo will hold a special guided tour where the themes presented in the exhibition will be explored in depth.
On Sunday, September 28, also at 3 p.m., there will be an event for children and families entitled “Images in Motion,” inspired by some of the stereoscopic images on display in the exhibition.
Sunday, October 12, at 9:30 a.m. - on the occasion of “Domeniche di Carta” (Paper Sundays) - Walk in the Valley and special visit to the exhibition.
For the occasion, a catalog will be published with reproductions of the documents on display and accompanying texts in Italian and English, which will explain the results of the research.
Voices of Paper. Stories of life from the Valley of the Paper Mills
Curated by Silvia Merigo
September 26-November 9, 2025
Paper Museum of Toscolano Maderno
Via Valle delle Cartiere 57/59
Toscolano Maderno
Opening Friday, September 26, 6:00 p.m.
From June 27:
until October 19, every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
From October 20 to November 9, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Admission to the exhibition is included in the admission ticket to the Paper Museum.
Info: valledellecartiere.it; info@valledellecartiere.it