Sul restauro della Chiesa di Maria Santissima Immacolata di Longuelo e il rispetto della sua immagine poetica / The restoration of the Church of Maria Santissima Immacolata in Longuelo and the respect for its poetic image

Abstract

The district of Longuelo in Bergamo, once a rural outpost along the road to Lecco, underwent rapid transformation in the post-war period, losing centrality to new residential developments that turned it into a commuter suburb. In response, both the Church and the Municipality promoted initiatives that culminated in the construction of Santa Maria Immacolata, begun in 1961 and consecrated in 1966. As the final work of Pino Pizzigoni—an eclectic and innovative architect—the church embodies a synthesis of architecture and mathematics: a monumental and articulated exterior in deliberate contrast with a sober, linear interior, structured by rigorous rhythmic relations. Between 2015 and 2016, the building underwent restoration aimed at recovering its original textures; however, the use of plastic-like coatings and subsequent alterations to its liturgical and decorative scheme have compromised the author’s vision, raising broader critical issues concerning the conservation of modern architecture.