Interview with Amalia Franceschetti, daughter of Delio, one of the founders

How did the idea of building the Fargno refuge come about?

It all started from an idea by CEM (Maceratese Hiking Club) to offer shelter and a starting point to all mountain enthusiasts.

When did the work begin and who participated?

Some members of the CEM, of which my father, Delio Franceschetti, was the president, took part in the construction works.

The work began in 1968, I had just finished middle school. While the lower floor was being completed, the club got lost along the way. Only "lu vecchiu" (that's what they called my father) and up to a certain point Nando Pieroni remained to carry on the dream.

And when were they finished?

They are still in progress (smiles).

At what point in the story does Luigi Marcolini enter?

MarcuIì, as an old boy scout and mountain enthusiast, offered to lend a hand, he gave his all, feeling an integral part of the project.

Then he married my sister Teresa, in 1972.

Immediately after the wedding, work began on the upper floor, which was completed in 1978.

Who was the typical customer of the shelter?

There was no customer, there was the frequenter of the refuge who inevitably became a friend over the years. It was not born as a restaurant, the refuge was and is a meeting point for mountain enthusiasts.

Let's talk about food, what did the refuge offer?

Here we enter the kingdom of Marculì, Teresa, and my mother Vera, who however, with the arrival of her grandchildren, began to cook exclusively for them.

Polenta with sausage was the most popular, lentil soup or beans with pork rinds, pasta as it happened, then cold cuts and cheeses. In short, simple cuisine, with local and quality ingredients.

How were they organized with the staff?

Everything has always been done as a family, everyone has taken turns to lend a hand, including my children Mariano and Valentina, who has taken over the reins of the refuge since 2020, together with her husband Fabrizio.

There was a period not managed by the family.

From 2013 to 2019, due to his advanced age, Luigi left us in February 2020, the refuge was handed over to Andrea Salvatori.

The future of the shelter?

I am sure that the refuge will continue to be a point of arrival and a point of departure, always in step with the times.