Archivi delle fabbricerie religiose: luoghi di memoria per la tutela di un patrimonio diffuso

The so called Fabbrica or Fabbriceria, or similar, play an essential role for the maintenance and protection of the any assets and properties of a church. Their archives, where still preserved, therefore represent a primary source of knowledge. It is well known how usefulness they can be when studying architecture; but some further reflections can be proposed as they could also be a chance to investigate minor and widespread heritages and not only monumental ones. This paper, which deals with the Fabbriceria as acting in modern and contemporary times (between 1807 and 1938) and proposes some case studies relating to the Diocese of Milan and Como, reflects on such an issue and also shows the not rare case to discover minor works by recognized operators (architects and painters), but it also try to highlight the builders themselves (craftsmen), and the unintentional actors of the care and maintenance of the church patrimony.