Ferrara and Mantua open their secret gardens in a festival of greenery and art

Called Interno verde, the festival in September will open the secret gardens of the cities of Ferrara and Mantua, or the normally inaccessible private gardens of the historic centers of the two cities. In Ferrara on September 12 and 13, 2020, and in Mantua two weeks later, on September 26 and 27, a two-day event dedicated to those who, in front of a closed door, dream of an open garden. Over the two days, the secret gardens will open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.: visitors will be able to build their own path through the two cities, to be read through their lush gardens.

The festival was born in Ferrara in 2016, and since 2019 it has also landed in Mantua. There are two main goals of Interno verde. The first, the statement of intent reads, is “to offer the inhabitants the opportunity to read and interpret the space that is lived and crossed on a daily basis, to solicit in regard to guests from other cities a more complete understanding of the past and greater awareness of the present wealth of the territory, which needs to be protected and promoted.” The second goal is “to promote through the exceptional sharing of spaces normally forbidden to the public a spontaneous sociality, a feeling of closeness and belonging based on trust and reciprocity, which can restore to the community the sense of living together.”

Among the gardens opening, there are also places with centuries of history. In Ferrara, for example, it will be possible to visit the Giardino delle Duchesse, created at the end of the 15th century for Eleonora d’Aragona and Margherita Gonzaga on a commission from Ercole I d’Este; theBotanical Garden of the University of Ferrara, opened in 1771; the garden of Ludovico Ariosto’s house; the Horti della Fasanara, also known as “the countryside within the walls”; and the garden of Palazzo Schifanoia. In Mantua, gates will be open to the Giardino dei Semplici in the Ducal Palace, the garden of Palazzo del Mago, and the garden of Palazzo Bonazzi Polacco. And of course, it will be possible to enter many lesser-known but no less fascinating private gardens.

To participate, you must register for the festival through the appropriate website www.internoverde.it (where you will also find a map of the two cities, with individual sheets of all the dozens of open gardens) is valid for both days. A contribution of 10 euros is required to register (reductions to 5 euros for disabled and accompanying persons, and 8 euros for organized groups of at least 25 people, the latter to be booked in advance by writing to info@internoverde.it). Free for children up to 13 years of age. At the time of registration, a kit will be handed out that includes a bracelet that will allow access to the gardens, a map and a program of activities. While supplies last, the color book collecting photographs and historical, architectural and botanical information about the places that will be discovered will also be given free of charge. Interno Verde will be held regularly even in case of bad weather.

Pictured: the Horti della Fasanara

Ferrara and Mantua open their secret gardens in a festival of greenery and art

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