Valmadrera: excavations at the Lourdes chapel reveal a 15th‑century

Valmadrera: archaeological finds during works at the Lourdes chapel

Restoration excavations at the Lourdes chapel, adjacent to the parish church of Sant’Antonio Abate in Valmadrera, have brought to light architectural remains and artefacts that deepen the known chronology of the site.

The excavation was supervised by the provincial heritage authority, with the excavation director and the lead archaeologist presenting the main outcomes.

Main discoveries

• Structural remains and flooring exposed in the investigated trenches, attributable to building phases earlier than the 16th century.
• 15th‑century fresco fragments recovered from wall sections, collected and stored for conservation and study.
• 19th‑century elements expected from historical sources, such as pillar bases and a cobbled surface where a coin dated 1809 was found, linked to Bovara’s planned church design.
• Large quantities of human bones recovered and bagged (about sixty sacks), accompanied by personal items including a small ring, a crucifix, rosaries and devotional medals.

Interpretation

The evidence points to an earlier church predating the mid‑1500s: an apse interpreted as belonging to a 14th–15th century building appears to lie beneath the later 16th‑century structure, likely under the later bell tower.

Archaeologists hypothesise that the skeletal remains derive from burials originally associated with the later church; historical interventions in the 18th–19th centuries may have led to the relocation of those remains into the uncovered area.

Analyses and conservation steps

• Skeletal material will be analysed at the specialised Labanof laboratory at the University of Milan for anthropological and dating studies.
• Fresco fragments will undergo art‑historical study and conservation treatment before any public display.

Consequences for the restoration design

The discoveries require a revision of the chapel’s restoration plan: conservators and engineers are considering flooring solutions that protect archaeological levels, including glass sections to make the 15th‑century fresco visible without compromising its preservation.

Some finds may be exhibited in the upper gallery after completion of restoration and research work.

What this means for the community

The finding significantly enriches the cultural and historical narrative of Valmadrera. Scientific results and restoration updates will be shared with the local community following completion of analyses and conservation interventions.