PromoCulture presents “Giardini e Dintorni”, a four-stop event combining art, landscapes and taste, offering engaging experiences in close contact with the local area, with the aim of promoting local products. Two weekends in September to discover the authentic beauty of the Tuscia, among secret gardens, nature trails, sculptures and historic residences.
Saturday 20 September – La Serpara Garden, Civitella d’Agliano
The first stop of Giardini e Dintorni takes place in Civitella d’Agliano, between Orvieto and Viterbo, where Swiss artist Paul Wiedmer created a remarkable garden of contemporary sculptures.
With over 80 works made of iron, stone, glass and wood, the Serpara Garden represents a perfect balance between creativity and landscape: the sculptures are not placed on pedestals, but grow among the vegetation, shaped by the local terrain and the weather.
The experience is enriched by a tasting of local wines and typical products, for a complete sensory immersion in the Tuscia.
Sunday 21 September – Natural History Museum, Lubriano
The second day takes place in Lubriano, overlooking the evocative Valle dei Calanchi, at the Natural History Museum.
The proposed route, titled “Of Waters, Flowers, Fruits and Edible Herbs”, guides visitors past historic wash-houses, fountains, an old water mill and thematic panels dedicated to biodiversity, wild herbs and beekeeping.
Here too, the visit ends with a wine tasting, celebrating the authentic flavours of the area.
The second weekend opens with the special opening of Villa Giustiniani, in Bassano Romano. This Mannerist-Baroque masterpiece from the early 17th century was conceived as a meeting place for culture and aristocracy.
Also famous for having hosted the filming of iconic movies such as La Dolce Vita by Fellini and The Leopard by Visconti, the villa preserves splendid frescoed rooms with themes such as the Four Seasons, Mount Parnassus and the port of Genoa.
Two distinctive features enrich the visit:
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The 18th-century wooden theatre, with boxes and a stalls area;
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The 23-hectare historic park, inspired by English and French gardens, home to fir trees, cypresses, chestnut trees and cherry trees.
The tour ends with a guided tasting of local wines and cheeses, accompanied by sensory tasting notes.
Sunday 28 September – Garden of Palazzo Chigi, Soriano nel Cimino
The event closes in style in Soriano nel Cimino, at the monumental garden of Palazzo Chigi, considered one of the most elegant in the Tuscia.
Laid out over several terraced levels, the garden takes advantage of the hill’s natural slope to create a setting that blends architecture and landscape, in keeping with the theme running through the entire event.
The centrepiece is the evocative Papacqua Fountain, a Baroque masterpiece inspired by sacred waters, a true masterpiece of hydraulic architecture.
Palazzo Chigi itself is worth a visit: built around a central structure with two reception rooms per floor and a magnificent panoramic terrace, it offers unique views over the valley and the village.
Here too, the experience ends with a wine tasting accompanied by excellent cheeses.
