The Stuva Nova is an elegant room built around 1740 at the behest of Archpriest Ludovico Isidoro Ignazio Rovereti. Characterized by walls made of carved and decorated Swiss pine wood, it was furnished with tables, chairs, a precious Baroque-style tiled stove adorned with mythological motifs, and numerous paintings.
The Stuva Nova houses seven 18th-century paintings (oil on canvas) depicting evocative sacred scenes. Some of these paintings are inspired by the Book of Genesis, such as Judah and Tamar, The Sacrifice of Isaac, and Hagar and Ishmael in the Desert, Protected by the Angel. Others come from the Acts of the Apostles, including The Conversion of Saint Paul and Ananias Baptizing Saint Paul and Restoring His Sight. Among the works, there are also The Sleeping Infant Jesus in the Cradle and Portrait of the Prince-Bishop of Trento, Pietro Vigilio Thun. These paintings enriched the space, giving the Stuva Nova a unique spiritual and historical character.
On November 5, 1918, two days after the signing of the Armistice of Villa Giusti between the Kingdom of Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a group of Italian soldiers set fire to the rectory of Ossana. The precious Stuva Nova was destroyed in the blaze, and various furnishings along with more than a thousand volumes from the parish library were lost in the flames. Fortunately, the paintings were saved.
The Stuva Nova was restored between 1926 and 1928 by the Santini brothers from Fucine di Ossana, in collaboration with woodcarvers Annibale Pagnoni and Arturo Stucchi from the vocational school of Ponte di Legno. The restoration of the paintings and frames was carried out in 2004-2005 by Gianmarco Finadri's company, under the supervision of Elvio Mich from the Superintendence for Historical and Artistic Heritage. This initiative was jointly undertaken by the Parish and the Municipal Administration of Ossana, which financed the project.
Thanks to the intervention of Don Marini, part of the original 18th-century furnishings was preserved and continues to decorate this historic space today. Among the preserved furnishings are the seven canvas paintings with elegant wooden frames, three carved tables, and some chairs. On the occasion of the inauguration of the San Vigilio Foundation on June 12, 2005, the paintings and tables were returned to their original setting. Unfortunately, the stove was stolen, while the parish library was transferred to Trento, where it is now housed in the Diocesan Library.
Open to visitors free of charge during the opening periods of the San Vigilio Foundation or by appointment by calling +39 0463 751301
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