Rediscovered Gardens

A unique creation of a visionary mind, the Bortolotti Garden known as the Garden of the Ciucioi – probably from the local name of the great tit or from the nearby customs (Zum Zoll in German) – represents in an exemplary way the peculiarity of garden design in the context of Trentino.

In these years the local “Soprintendenza per i beni culturali” (Trento Cultural Heritage Board) has catalogued and studied almost one hundred and fifty gardens and historical parks widespread in the territory: a rediscovered heritage that attests to the centuries-old vitality of the gardening art even in a region that is less suited than others, due to its climate and morphology, to the creation and survival of these fragile cultural assets, which are particularly exposed to transformations and inappropriate interventions. This survey is now presented to the attention and knowledge of citizens and specialists, including a plurality of sites of various eras and types: from the gardens of castles and villas to the gardens of city palaces and villages, until the most recent spa and urban parks. Transformed into an unexpected green scenery, also the rocky cliffs of the Doss Paion, which overlook the village of Lavis, are the scene of a highly symbolic narrative, that marks a clear sign in the landscape.

The Giardino Bortolotti (Bortolotti Garden) expresses the technical and scientific education as well as the culture of its creator, Tommaso Bortolotti (Lavis, 1796-1872), who devoted every resource to the creation of his fanciful project. 

Almost 140 years after the death of its creator, the garden has undergone a long and careful restoration work, with the aim of halting its degradation after decades of neglect.

The project was aimed at opening the garden to the public, with compatible uses: guided tours, qualified gardening and horticulture courses, concerts, art performances.

Source: Soprintendenza per i beni culturali (Cultural Heritage Directorate) and Ecomuseum of Argentario

Further details: Mostra giardini ritrovati - brochure.pdf 1,61 MB