Death in the Dolomites: A Rick Montoya Italian Mystery
Page 25
The hotel in which the book’s characters are lodged is modeled on an establishment that was always our base in Madonna di Campiglio, the Hotel Erika. It is named for its founder, a special woman who passed away too young, but whose work has been carried on by her family. Besides offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, the Hotel Erika has a menu for its guests that is as good as you will find anywhere in the Dolomites.
One of the delights of traveling around Italy is stumbling on some amazing work of art or architecture not found in the standard guide books. The tenth-century church of San Vigilio, whose frescoes and interior are described on these pages, was one of them for us. Its Dansa Macabra, painted in 1539 by Simone Baschenis, is considered a masterpiece, and if you see it in person, or even bring it up on your computer screen, you will agree. (You can see photographs of the church on my website, www.davidpwagnerauthor.com.) Please note, however, that I have taken one major liberty with the church of San Vigilio, in that I moved it to Campiglio from somewhere else. In reality it is located in the town of Pinzolo, about a dozen kilometers down the valley from Madonna di Campiglio, reached by a winding and scenic road.
Trento, where Rick’s buddy Flavio lives, is the capital of Trentino-Alto Adige, one of Italy’s autonomous regions, where German is an official language with Italian. It is most famous outside of Italy as the site of the Council of Trent which met off and on between 1545 and 1563. Trento is a city worth visiting, not just to see the cathedral where the council took place, but to take in the rest of its medieval historical center, including the ancient Castello del Buonconsiglio, a fascinating museum.
The Dolomites do not draw foreign visitors in the same numbers as other Italian regions, which is unfortunate. It is hard to match the combination of breathtaking alpine scenery, interesting history, and the charm of towns like Madonna di Campiglio which sparkle like gems among the valleys and peaks. And there’s also the food, of course.
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Besides my wonderful wife, who constantly gave me support and suggestions with this book, I would like to thank my son Max for lending his expertise on heavy machinery, Jeeps, and firearms. I hope I have written accurately. Also a thank you to Roman Rede, who shared his experience as a firefighter to set me straight on the fine art of carrying dead weight. And tante grazie to my good friend in Rome, Guido Garavoglia, for checking details about things Italian that may have become fuzzy in my memory. Finally, un abrazo with deep gratitude to Bill Oglesby for his help and encouragement throughout the writing process.
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