During FAI autumn days a weekend of guided tours took place along the streets of the center of Roncegnoa path rich in culture that led us to get to know the artistic beauties of villas and ancient residences, the archpriest church of Saints Peter and Paul and at the top of the panoramic hill the church of Santa Brigida with the Museum of popular musical instruments next to it.
Maria Luisa Brioli accompanied us to Casa Raphael, an important building of historical and artistic value from the end of the 19th century surrounded by a large park in a late romantic style, with tall trees, rose gardens and hydrangeas; a complex that narrates 150 years of history of the Roncegno thermal baths.
Casa Raphael is a health care and wellness centerwhere methods of anthroposophical, homeopathic and phytotherapeutic treatment of the European tradition are followed, with classic music every Tuesday at 9 pm in the splendid Sala del Caminetto.
In addition to giving value to special goods and places Maria Luisa Brioli – FAI delegation member of Trento – transmits his professional experience in the didactic-educational field to the second generations of the FAI, teaching young people apprentices-guides a mix of history, art and nature.
The group of visitors gathers at the entrance of the structure, where horse carriages once arrived and replaced by vintage cars, while knights and ladies dressed up in sumptuous dresses and hats climbed the staircase that led inside the driveway.
In the early writings of the scholar Vitaliano Modena – subsequently updated in the book “The history of Roncegno and its thermal baths” – the events of the bathing establishment and the township in the period 1856-1945 are told.
Land of Habsburg tradition with local agro-forestry-pastoral economy at the subsistence level, a period characterized by poverty, epidemics and emigration.
It was 1856 when a farmer near Tesobo he accidentally discovered a spring of reddish arsenic-ferruginous water.
Doctor Paoli freed sensing the potential of this water, he began to experiment with it on himself and on the poor suffering from various diseases, benefiting from it.
In 1860 the first joint-stock company of the Roncegno bathroom was establishedthus begins the activity of the first spa, a very simple inn with a closet for the bathrooms.
The following year, a group of local entrepreneurs joined in supporting the development of the spas with strong investments.
From the management of Pietro Pola (1859) ai Waiz brothers Borgo landowners with a big vision (1877) up to prof. Achille De Giovanni for 40 years in charge of the medical department.
From a poor village Roncegno became a hamlet, in a short time hotels, villas and the railway were built. The factory organized parties, meetings and cultural activities, a reference point for nobles, high officials, musicians and industrialists.
Several epistolary testimonies of illustrious guests of the establishment including Arrigo Boito, Prince Albert of Habsburg and actress Eleonora Duse.
The properties of water combined with walks in the splendid park, among gushing fountains,
benches and heliotherapy treatments brought serenity of mind and benefit to the mid-mountain climate (which today has over two hundred farms).
The entrance to the period loggia embellished with a centuries-old wisteria is an eye-catcher for the refined and quality minimal furnishings, to which attention was also paid in the restoration.
In 1905 the original structure was flanked by the Palace Hotel Terme frequented by high-ranking customers, a unique welcome with a tennis court, bowls, archery.
Liberty style daring with bright colors, minimalism, elegantly designed tables and floors, precious lamps, a bright bar area and a ceiling designed with the signs of the zodiac; an atmosphere that describes the worldly life of the time.
In one room stands the large panel of Ardengo Soffici (1879-1964) painter, writer and poet passionate about art and literature. The only surviving painting of three pieces, lost after the Second World War, represents the meeting of Dante and Beatrice.
In other rooms hunting scenes and lightheartedness wanting to seal a golden age that guests lived in the great Party Hallto recreate that confidence in the future after the world conflict.
In 1952 the property was transferred from the State Property to the Region, to finally pass to the Autonomous Province of Trento starting from 1972.
Casa Raphael is an authorized facility for medical treatments and cures with about 14 thousand admissions per year, but it is possible to stay even without making use of therapeutic treatments.
Comprehends the hotel with 85 rooms some with terrace, therapy area, indoor swimming pool, beauty treatment area, restaurant and various common areas.
The guided tour ends in the hall (300 square meters) to attend a waltz of the figures in the costumes of the Belle Epoquea historical period where inventions and advances in technology and science worked miracles.
The guide takes us back to the reality of our time, given the high management costs the future is uncertain for this historical heritage.
