San Giorgio: the Threshold of the Sacred Mountain
Monte San Giorgio is a really diverse pole of knowledge for territorial sustainable development, between Italy and Tessin, inside the heart of Europe, nowadays a UNESCO natural site that is very rich in cultural heritage. The World Heritage site of Monte San Giorgio is geologically made up of Mesozoic rocks characterised by a high fossil content, preserved in excellent condition. In particular, it contains:
- an extensive presence of works of art and religious architecture, such as artistic expressions of the sacred in the historical and monumental evolution of the site, identifying possible links between them;
- an impressive historical testimony of the living culture linked to the mountain, visible through the scientific reconstruction of the spiritual tradition of Monte San Giorgio, mediated by relevant figures such as the Blessed Manfredo Settala, still strongly recognised by the resident communities as the local identity of the site;
- an meaningful starting point for exploring the relationship between archaeology and archaeoastronomy, from whose mountainous morphology it is possible to identify alignments with the celestial bodies, especially on equinox and solstice days, about ancient archaeoastronomical paths and relevant archaeological excavations;
- an extremely important evidence of biodiversity for the study of ethnomedicine, about the indigenous medicinal plants on the mountain and their ancient and contemporary use, and for the technomorphology of the territory identifying itineraries to define the anthropic extension of the mountain;
- an ancestral link between geology and palaeontology, already recognised as an outstanding universal value by UNESCO, to which must be added the notable contribution of geobiology indicating it as a dynamic point sensitive to magnetic and cosmo-telluric forces, due to its strategic position above the meeting point between the plate African and the European plate;
- the great potential for sustainable development between communication and sustainable tourism, promoting different narratives around the cultural and natural values of Monte San Giorgio heritage, based on the results found in the other thematic areas, to tell the mountain from various points of view but in a homogeneous way throughout the territory.
- Research Objectives: The research aims to communicate Monte San Giorgio Heritage of an ancestral sacred mountain through the cross evidence of the collection of hydrogeological botanic-ethnomedical, paleontological, astronomical, archaeological and historical-artistic data. Furthermore, such dimensions are to be communicated to visitors and prospects, with a wise and creative orchestration of digital media. Smart tourism tools will be crafted and adopted in order to provide access to the heritage, to enrich the visit, to ensure a deep connection between residents, visitors and the heritage itself, as well as to educate all concerned players.
- Methodologies: digital mapping of water paths, identification of ethnomedical evidence, definition of anthropic life in caves, survey of astronomical cycles and mapping of sacred iconography and processional routes. Testing of new digitally supported communication strategies and implementation of suitable tools.
- Expected Outcomes: creation and testing of digital communication tools and strategies to support the development of a unified identity for the mountain’s cultural and natural values. Creation of new narratives that integrate the heritage of Monte San Giorgio as a mixed intangilbe and visual system, development of medicinal plant orchards, comprehensive photographic documentation.
We will proceed with the digital documentation of tangible and intangible heritage elements; that will imply also ethnographic investigation, deepening the articulated history of this area and pursuing its development.
Data will be collected through oral history and digital acquisition of ethnographic, iconographic, and documentary sources; that will help to define strategies for the valorisation and tourist-cultural promotion of Monte San Giorgio.
Such digital data acquisition will ecompass, among the other, the following areas.
Hydrogeology: Mapping the path of the waters, particularly towards the baptistery of Riva San Vitale, to define both the naturalistic and cultural narrative of the sacred landscape.
Paleontology: Leveraging the fossil-rich shallow lake surrounding MSG as part of the world heritage, linking paleontological sites with the legacy.
Archaeology: Identifying significant archaeological evidence and emergencies, including nearby areas.
History of Art and Architecture: Creating a sacred iconographic map of the mountain and its surroundings, analyzing artistic expressions of the sacred, and reconstructing ancient roads based on historical representations.
Ethnography and Traditions: Mapping living traditions (intangible heritage) around Monte San Giorgio, such as processions, products, recipes, traditions, events, festivals, and skills related to geobiology and other practices.
Ethnomedicine: Analyzing the presence and use of indigenous medicinal plants on the mountain, both ancient and contemporary, to promote and protect ethnomedical heritage.
All communities relevant in the history and development of Monte San Giorgio will be involved, encompassing both the Swiss and Italian parts of the UNESCO site. Among them: municipalities and other public administration actors, “Patriziato” (in the Swiss side), Tourism offices, museums, cultural institutions and foundations, schools and educational institutions, as well as local parishes, which have been preserving a continuing spiritual line of the territory; all residents. Moreover, all residents and businesses (e.g.: agriculture, agroforestry, hospitality, restaurants, …) will be involved as having a major stake in the sustainable development of the area.
The expected results are:
- Digital tools to communicate and promote the mountain and its values in the area with a unique brand, leveraging social media, websites, mobile apps, augmented and mixed realities, and so on.
- Rememberance and co-creation of narratives on the heritage of MSG as an integrated system of cultural and visual heritage.
- Recovery of itineraries/paths that evoke specific views of the mountains from the perspective of each municipality.
- Support to the development of an integrated sacred landscape proposal for Monte San Giorgio allowing the exploration of various places and attractions of the mountain, promoting the mountain as a connected network of sites and themes to enhance visitor awareness and engagement.
- Enhancing experiences/routes to discover the various narratives of the mountain, suitable for various age groups, ranging from silver tourism to family and study trips, including online interactive activities for pre-visit, during, and post-visit engagements.
- Development of medicinal plant orchards interconnection on the lakeshore as an example for other municipalities, and products of endemic plants with a DOC brand.
The first associated partner is the UNESCO Chair of the University of Genoa, in Anthropology of Health, whose contribution is seminal in order to recognize the tangible and intangible components of the sacred mountain as a transcendent narrative of the cultural landscape of the UNESCO site.
Cultural and Natural Integration: Monte San Giorgio serves as a bridge linking Italy and Switzerland, highlighting a rich tapestry of cultural and natural heritage that transcends national boundaries. The ascent to the mountain dissolves border and boundaries not only at the physical and geographical level, but also between the pysical and the spiritual dimensions.
Collaborative Research and Conservation Efforts: The coordinated efforts of the UNESCO chairs from the University of Genoa and the Università della Svizzera Italiana focus on recovering ancestral memory and promoting a shared cultural history, thus reinforcing the cross-border significance of Monte San Giorgio.
Strategic Position and Archaeological Significance: The strategic position of Monte San Giorgio at the meeting point of the African and European plates emphasizes its geological and paleontological importance, further advocating for international collaboration in research and conservation.
Cultural Landscape Narratives: The development of itineraries, activities, and destinations that narrate the cultural landscape fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of the mountain's heritage, thus promoting cross-border tourism and educational initiatives.
