Stone and marble have been of vital importance in the history of Pove.  For more than four centuries a major part of Pove’s citizens (Povese) have been dedicated to the excavation, working and commerce of the natural stone found on the slopes of Monte Grappa above the town.  The quality of this stone has been widely valued for its range of colors that span from black to red and from rose to white.

As the stone was worked by Pove’s artisan sculptors, forms emerged for domestic use (floors and pavement, sinks, plaques and gravestones), for architectural elements (pillars, columns, cornices) and for ornamental materials (capitals, altars, statues). Many of Pove’s native families maintained artisan workshops such as the Andolfatto, Bosa, Caron, Cavallini, Donazzon, Fusaro, Marcadella and Zanchetta where generations produced works of great artistic relevance.   The Ala Napoleonica of the Piazza San Marco in Venice, the Temple of Canova in Possagno and the statue of Jacopo Da Ponte in Bassano del Grappa are all by native artisans.

The tradition of working in marble, although redimentioned over the course of time due to technological changes and materials, continues today in industrial settings where the knowledge and artisan creativity of Pove’s heritage contribute significantly to the production of modern stone workmanship. For this reason, the town of Pove has established the Civic Museum of the Sculptor dedicated to Antonio Bosa, one of its most illustrious artisans and sculptors.  In the museum’s collection, made possible in part by private donations, one finds an exposition of historic photographs, sculptor’s tools, project illustrations, clay models as well as sculptures executed by today’s resident artisans.

On the hill above the city, an old stone quarry has been restored along with a craftsman’s laboratory and workshop where one can learn and appreciate the master craftsmanship and expertise of Pove’s long tradition of artisanry with marble.  You will find an educational exhibit that describes the geological characteristics of local marble and the process of excavating and working the stone.

Susan Fior