Nestled along the western shores of Lake Garda in Lombardy, Italy, San Felice del Benaco has long captivated the hearts of poets, writers, composers, and visionaries. Known for its breathtaking landscapes and serene atmosphere, this picturesque village has been a source of inspiration for centuries. From ancient Roman poets to modern composers, its charm transcends time. This year, as I, Dr. Matteo Bertelli, returned to my birthplace to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, I was once again struck by the enduring legacy of San Felice del Benaco as a crossroads of history, culture, and artistic expression.
A Cultural and Historical Crossroads
The origins of San Felice del Benaco’s name, sinus felix (Latin for “happy cove”), hint at the idyllic beauty that has drawn travelers and artists for millennia. The village’s history is rich and layered, with roots stretching back to Roman times when the poet Catullus first praised the natural splendor of the Lake Garda region.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, San Felice del Benaco became a retreat for some of the most celebrated figures in literature, art, and music. Among them was Gabriele D’Annunzio, one of Italy’s most renowned poets and writers, who found solace and inspiration in the tranquility of Lake Garda. In his Libro segreto, D’Annunzio immortalized the enchanting atmosphere of San Felice:
“It was the season of Garda’s winds. My boat had sought refuge in San Felice, near a solitary shore where a small chapel and an ancient villa stood. There, the lake whispered secrets only the soul could hear.”
Percy Bysshe Shelley, the Romantic poet, also passed through San Felice during his travels in northern Italy in 1818. His poem Lines Written Among the Euganean Hills reflects the profound impression left by Lake Garda and its surroundings:
“Here pause: these graves are all too young as yet / To have outgrown the sorrow which consigned / Its charge to each… / From the world’s bitter wind / Seek shelter in the shadow of the tomb.”
Shelley’s descriptions, alongside those of his contemporary James Thomson in The Seasons, painted a vivid picture of a place where nature and creativity harmoniously converged.
Music and Art Flourish in San Felice
San Felice del Benaco’s allure extended beyond the literary world. It also attracted celebrated composers and visual artists who sought to capture the region’s serene beauty in their work.
Richard Wagner, the legendary German composer, visited Lake Garda in 1878 and wrote to his wife Cosima: “The lake is more splendid than I ever imagined. At sunrise, its azure surface mirrors the heavens, while the verdant hills embrace it like an eternal guardian.”
Giuseppe Verdi, Italy’s most iconic composer, also found inspiration during his brief sojourn near San Felice. In a letter to a close friend, Verdi praised the region’s calming beauty, which he described as “a sanctuary for the soul.”
The visual arts also found fertile ground in San Felice. The French landscape painter Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot created luminous depictions of Lake Garda, while Italian masters like Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo and Mario Sironi drew inspiration from the interplay of light and shadow on the lake’s surface. Their works immortalized the region’s serene majesty, attracting generations of artists seeking similar inspiration.
A Village of Memory and Legacy
The history of San Felice del Benaco is not only one of artistic celebration but also one of remembrance. During World War II, the village bore witness to the tragic fate of many of its Jewish residents. Among these stories, the Reinach-De Benedetti family—Maria Antonietta (Etta), Ugo, and their son Piero—stands as a poignant example of lives lost during the Holocaust. In 1943, they were deported from San Felice to Auschwitz, where they perished.
A commemorative plaque near Villa Olivetta, their former residence, serves as a solemn reminder of this dark chapter in history. However, the Reinach-De Benedetti family is not the sole connection to San Felice’s Jewish history. Many other descendants of families who once formed part of the local Jewish community have since left the village, carrying with them the rich legacy of their ancestors. These families contributed significantly to the cultural and intellectual development of San Felice, leaving a mark that continues to shape its identity today.
During this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony, attendees—including friends, distant relatives, and individuals with ties to these families—gathered to honor their collective memory.
San Felice’s Role in Shaping Modernity
The legacy of San Felice del Benaco extends beyond the arts to encompass cultural innovation. As the founder of MAGISNAT, a biomedical company at the forefront of Mediterranean natural molecule research, I draw from my roots in this village. The values of interconnectedness, balance, and respect for tradition that define MAGISNAT’s mission are deeply influenced by the heritage of San Felice.
In San Felice, the past is not a relic but a living force that informs the present and inspires the future. By celebrating the village’s role as a sanctuary for creativity and reflection, we honor its enduring capacity to unite people across generations and disciplines.
A Timeless Inspiration
San Felice del Benaco has long been a hub of innovation and creativity, enriched by the contributions of its Jewish community and the steady flow of poets, artists, and thinkers who have walked its streets. Meanwhile, the frequent presence of literary and artistic luminaries cultivated a holistic vision of well-being, intertwining art, culture, and the pursuit of knowledge as essential elements of a balanced life.
Dr. Matteo Bertelli, through his spin-off MAGISNAT at the Atlanta Tech Park in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, has carried forward this cultural and intellectual tradition. By integrating Mediterranean natural molecules into cutting-edge biomedical research, he continues to embody the innovative and holistic values that have defined San Felice for generations.
In reflecting on his work, Dr. Bertelli sees a powerful parallel between San Felice del Benaco and Peachtree Corners. Both communities, though separated by an ocean, share a dedication to blending history and innovation, fostering progress while staying rooted in their unique cultural identities.
San Felice del Benaco remains a destination for those seeking inspiration, tranquility, and a deeper connection to the past. Its legacy is a testament to the power of place in shaping human creativity and resilience. As visitors walk its cobblestone streets or gaze out over the shimmering waters of Lake Garda, they are reminded of the countless artists, thinkers, and visionaries who have stood there before them, drawing strength and inspiration from this “happy cove.”
In a world that often feels fragmented, San Felice del Benaco and Peachtree Corners stand as beacons of continuity and progress. Together, they remind us that memory, creativity, and the pursuit of innovation can converge to offer hope for a brighter, more harmonious future.