South Tyrol is home to a particularly large number of “catacomb saints”. These are magnificently decorated bones of saints, which are usually kept in glass shrines in churches. The European Textile Academy (Bolzano), under the aegis of textile restorer Irene Tomedi, is now in the process of recording and restoring this forgotten South Tyrolean cultural asset and making it better known
South Tyrol is home to a particularly large number of “catacomb saints”. These are magnificently decorated bones of saints, which are usually kept in glass shrines in churches. The European Textile Academy (Bolzano), under the aegis of textile restorer Irene Tomedi, is now in the process of recording and restoring this forgotten South Tyrolean cultural asset and making it better known
The reactions of visitors who see a full-body relic range from shock and amazement to amusement. In previous generations, respect still prevailed. It is therefore all the more regrettable that there is no in-depth work that addresses and researches this aspect of Baroque piety, which is so important for South Tyrol. Apart from a few illustrated books, there is hardly any literature in this area.
But what is the history of the “catacomb saints”? In 1578, the ground on the Roman Via Salaria gave way. The underground catacomb came to light. It was the time of the beginning of the Catholic Counter-Reformation. While people had previously only been curious about the remains of antiquity, they now concentrated on the resistance that the early Christians put up to the challenges to their faith from paganism. The archaeological interest in Christian antiquities was followed by great attention from the church hierarchy.
From then on, the relics stood for an unadulterated tradition of faith from the time of early Christianity to the papal Rome of the Counter-Reformation. It was assumed that all those buried in the catacombs were early Christian martyrs. The “holy bodies” were therefore handed over to ecclesiastical institutions throughout Europe, a practice that was hardly questioned until the 19th century. The fact that there are so many “catacomb saints” in South Tyrol can be explained by the anti-Protestant tendencies in the diocese of Brixen. The veneration of saints and relics served to distinguish them from Protestantism and was intended to prevent it from spreading to the parishes of the diocese of Brixen.
Since autumn 2017, the European Textile Academy, under the direction of the renowned Bolzano textile restorer Irene Tomedi, has been dedicated to taking stock of monasteries and churches in South Tyrol. forty-two full-body relics have been located so far. They have been documented photographically and using textile technology. It cannot be ruled out that more will be discovered in the course of the research work. As the “catacomb saints” are often located in the cellar or attic, an inventory often resembles meticulous detective work. The full-body skeletons or wooden figures, often in a glass coffin on the side altars, are covered with transparent gauze. They were artfully adorned by nuns with colorful glass stones, pearls, lace, filigree decorations and decorative and sumptuous fabrics.
The municipalities have invested heavily in the decoration of these holy figures. Their partial neglect has now contributed to their poor condition. Restoration and conservation are therefore aimed at preserving, enhancing and appreciating these works. Three “catacomb martyrs” have already been restored. They come from the parish church in St. Martin in Passeier and from the collegiate church in Neustift. The historical circumstances that ultimately led to a church renovation and ended in the popular mission in the 18th century are also to be investigated. In addition to the certificates of origin, this also includes the respective transportation conditions, as well as the scientific analysis of the age, lifestyle and diet of the “catacomb martyrs”. There are also high hopes for the collaboration with Eurac Research in Bolzano. These analyses should clarify, for example, whether the bones from the catacombs of Rome come from a single person or can even be assigned to a saint. Most of the “catacomb saints” are dressed like Roman soldiers, with breastplates and helmets. A scientific publication is to appear at the end of the restoration and conservation work.
In 2022, the textile restorer Irene Tomedi from Bolzano was honored with the “Palazzo Spinelli Award” at the “Salone dell’Arte e del Restauro”. Since 2014, the Instituto per l’Arte e il Restauro – Palazzo Spinelli has been honoring people who have made a significant contribution to the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage. Irene Tomedi has been a self-employed textile restorer with her own workshop in Bolzano since 1983 and has restored the Shroud of Turin, among other things. The textile expert is a founding member and vice president of the European Textile Academy in Bolzano.
