Visit
Horti
Everyone is welcome: the entry is free.
Guided tours for adults and children, workshops and didactic workshops are available.
If you are a school group and/or organised group, booking is compulsory via prenotazioni@admaiora.education.
Horti is a green area in the historic centre of Pavia that is fully accessible to people with disabilities.
The entrances are: viale Lungo Ticino Sforza 46 and
via Cardinale Tosi 5 (Pavia), a 20-minute walk from Pavia's train station.
The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Horti Bistrot is temporarily closed.
Horti is a green area in the historic centre of Pavia that is fully accessible to people with disabilities.
The entrances are: viale Lungo Ticino Sforza 46 and
via Cardinale Tosi 5 (Pavia), a 20-minute walk from Pavia's train station.
The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Horti Bistrot is temporarily closed.
Horti's map
While waiting for your next visit to the Horti, you can explore our interactive map: click on the symbols and find out more about the art, history and fauna that inhabit the park.
Browser the map
Horti's map
While waiting for your next visit to the Horti, you can explore our interactive map: click on the symbols and find out more about the art, history and fauna that inhabit the park.
Horti
Bistrot
Horti is preparing to open a new Bistrot in the park's 17th century Farmhouse, a place where you can find the smile of someone who has had the opportunity to start afresh.
A place of refreshment that fills not only the belly, but also the heart. Horti bistrot will host a training school for lounge and bar staff for people with disabilities and prisoners, who will learn the art of hospitality and service. The students will grow together in a process of mutual enrichment.
+39 388 82 78 157
Bistrot temporarily closed; Pick-up point open Mon-Fri 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sat 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
+39 388 82 78 157
Read the menu
Bistrot temporarily closed; Pick-up point open Mon-Fri 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Sat 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Plan
your event
Do you want to organize an event in Horti Bistrot?
Write to us and let us know what you have in mind, we will confirm as soon as possible!
Regulation,
services and information
It is recommended
1. Gather and taste the edible fruits found on the thistle plants or shrubs.
2. Take a seat and relax.
3. Walk, even barefoot, on the level lawns.
4. Collect woods and sticks to pile them up in necromasses.
5. Stop to read, study, work or relax.
6. Ask for a map at our infopoint.
7. Scan the QR codes on the park's signposts for further information.
It is permitted
1. To enter with your four-legged friends on a leash out of respect for others and for the park's fauna.
2. Take photos for personal use and publication on social networks. Don't forget to add the tag @horticollegioborromeo.
3. Get a free supply of water at the bistrot.
4. Consume food and drinks exclusively in the area outside the bistrot, using the picnic tables.
5. Smoking exclusively in the area outside the bistrot.
It is forbidden to
1. Enter as a school group and/or organised groups without a reservation.
2. Taking photos and videos for commercial and/or advertising purposes without prior written permission.
3. To leave animal droppings and other waste.
4. Dumping or submerging oneself, even partially, in ponds and streams.
5. Playing, climbing, damaging vegetation, artwork and furniture.
6. Playing ball and frisbee.
7. Extending presence beyond closing time.
8. Entering with motor vehicles, bicycles and scooters, even if accompanied by hand (racks are provided at both entrances).
9. Stepping on flower lawns.
10. Feeding the animals that populate the park.
11. Using wood and sticks improperly.
Horti is accessible to all. The park is walkable for people with disabilities. The bistrot also has a lift and equipped toilets.
In case of strong wind or rain, the park will remain closed.
FAQ
Horti can be visited every day, except Mondays, without booking. We kindly ask school groups and/or organised groups to make reservations via prenotazioni@admaiora.education.
You can enjoy your own food and drinks in the space outside the bistrot.
1
TRIADE
Arnaldo Pomodoro
1997
La Triade, a work consisting of three white fibreglass columns 15 m high and 1.5 m in diameter, was placed in Horti in December 2021. The columns are the models used for the casting of the sculpture permanently placed in New York in 1981. This work was first exhibited in 1984 at Forte di Belvedere in Florence, then placed in Pavia in Piazza Milano until 2002, in Lugano in 2004 for Pomodoro's solo exhibition and finally in Turin from 2006 to 2010.
3
LUOGO PRESUNTO
Ferruccio Ascari
2017
With a reiterative attitude in his artistic career, Ferruccio Ascari reconceives for Horti his work Luogo Presunto, an environmental installation already placed in Milan at the centre of the cloister of the Basilica of San Simpliciano. These "building archetypes of uncertain stability" suspended on the surface of the body of water, arranged without any apparent order, seem to respond to a pure impulse of expansion and are exposed to continuous mutations depending on the light, the succession of the seasons and the configurations of the sky.
2
MODULO COSTRUTTIVO L
Nicola Carrino
2001
Nicola Carrino's first transformable constructions date back to 1969: modular sculptures in iron, steel and corten steel, in the shape of an "L" or "T", on which the artist intervenes over time with innumerable and unpredictable transformations in relation to the exhibition, environmental, outdoor and urban spaces. Composed of few or many identical elements, Carrino's sculpture never repeats itself, but always manifests differently depending on the environment with which it interacts.
4
TRACCIA VEGETALE INTERROTTA
Sergio Alberti
2013
Sergio Alberti's poetics are perfectly expressed in the work he has chosen for Horti, Traccia vegetale interrotta, in which reflection on the substance of matter and landscape - which have become a plastic act - are translated into the intuition of the relationship between sculptural form and natural suggestion, between rigour and metamorphosis, between abstraction and figuration.
5
FAB4
Marco Lodola
2023
Marco Lodola is known for his transparent, coloured and illuminated plexiglass silhouettes, where the boundaries between sculpture and painting, three-dimensionality and surface, visuality and matter are blurred. His language, inspired by the avant-garde and pop art, ironically illustrates a series of mass-media 'pop icons', in which everything can become iconic. This is also the case with the work Fab4, which reproduces the famous photograph (taken in '69 by Lain MacMillan) of the Beatles walking in Abbey Road, transforming it into a sequence of light, colour and rhythm.
6
TEATRO DELL'ASSENZA
Alberto Ghinzani
2006
Alberto Ghinzani's sculptures establish a dialogue with the landscape, intended as essence, and airily make their way through it. Teatro dell'assenza is one of the most significant works: "Iron, reminiscent of matter and the primordial man, holds up an ethereal and at the same time imposing structure, which becomes representation and scenic space, inducing us to cross and re-cross the places of memory with the physical expedient that has transformed it and makes it resemble a large window, the door ajar in the background [...]" (Rachele Ferrario).
7
TIMELAPSE
Giovanna Fra
2019
Timelapse is an ideogram painted and printed on canvas, an image of a hashtag that becomes a symbol and a communicative and aggregating binder with the world. It is a circular path, an arch of time, the evolution of Giovanna Fra's work.
8
I TRASPARENTI
Costantino Ruggeri
1974
Using mouth-blown transparent glass panes from disused windows, Ruggeri created 'transparent' shapes enclosed in panels. The original lead binding became an integral part of the composition. Transparent, opaque paper, plastic sheets, cobwebs and hand and footprints were glued to the glass panes in different shapes and designs each time.
9
THE CHAPEL DRAWINGS - BORROMEO
David Tremlett
2022
On the interior walls of the former church, one can admire the site-specific wall drawing by British artist David Tremlett. The figures are the result of the intersection of numerous vertical, horizontal, diagonal and circular lines, in search of a comforting security at a time when the whole world seemed to have descended into chaos due to the Covid19 pandemic. On the north side, the artist reinterpreted the wooden entrance compass by covering it with grease, containing graphite, modelled by hand.
10
UGUALE-CONTRARIO
Mauro Staccioli
2003
The work Uguale-contrario, boldly and freely shaped through the skilful use of galvanised iron, almost defies the laws of gravity. Its title presents two opposites, thus rejecting unambiguous definitions and seeking a more pervasive connection with space. Staccioli comments: "The upward and downward movement of the arch mimics the movement of thought that questions itself, returns to itself and takes shape in the work".
12
OMAGGIO A EDUARDO CHILLIDA
Salvatore Cuschera
2003
Through its monumentalism, Salvatore Cuschera's sculpture is expressed in compact and solid forms, both organic and geometric. For the sculptor, nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration, an ancient, almost Homeric and shamanic material that is transformed into something other than itself, into very current and contemporary forms. The influence of the great Basque master Eduardo Chillida is evident in the minimalism of the forms and the attention to thickness and mass.
THE BEEHIVES
Thanks to beekeeper Michele Contini, Horti benefit from the presence of bees. Bees are very important pollinating insects and around 70% of food crops and 90% of wild plants depend on their daily work. In each hive, around the queen bee, there are about 50,000 bees, all females apart from the kelp, which is very fundamental for ventilating the hive and fertilising the queen, who, unlike worker bees, is fed royal jelly. The intensive work of each hive produces 20 to 60 kg of honey more than it needs.
11
SOLE GABBIA
Luigi Mainolfi
1997
Luigi Mainolfi's poetics tend towards an allusive and synthetic figurativeness, always on the verge of becoming abstraction. Many of his works are made from poor, natural materials. Iron allows him to create light structures, despite their size, in large aerial formats, without body or mass, only skeleton, although he does not go as far as complete abstraction. It is the titles of the works that give the form a recognisable meaning, despite the risk of paradoxes, as in this case between the Sun and the Cage that should contain it.
13
IN.SEME
ivan
2023
ivan is the father of street poetry and a public artist since the early 2000s. His site-specific work for Horti addresses the themes of memory, the fragmentation of the contemporary, the role of words in the relationships among society and individuals, and the recomposition of collective imaginary dimensions. The art piece, resulting from a workshop with the students of the Collegio and the guests of the San Carlo dormitory, is a work open to multiple levels of reading and fruition, which echoes and integrates itself into the context.
14
TEN COLOURED GEOMETRIC PERFORMERS
David Tremlett
2022
The wall interrupted by the ancient water divider, which forms a scenic backdrop to the woodland area of Horti, was entrusted to British artist David Tremlett. Tremlett's work is characterised by bright colours and simple, irregular geometric shapes that convey a third dimension. On the left, the light grey background ideally emphasises the connection with the historical city context, while the grey/blue background on the right creates a connection with nature.
15
BOX
Gianfranco Pardi
2001
For Gianfranco Pardi, reflection on space is a fundamental element. The ideal dimension to which his work aspires is architecture as a field of exchange and intersection between different disciplines. The sculpture Box in iron and steel, painted a bright yellow, derives from a series of works made from cardboard boxes. The perpendicularity is disrupted and the large 'box' is broken up before our eyes to create an entirely new figure belonging to an 'other', open geometry.
THE WOODLAND EDGE
The new and conspicuous tree planting recreates a special habitat, producing the 'woodland edge' effect, ideal for the enhancement and protection of biodiversity, nesting and reproduction of bird species. Shade/light zones with different temperatures and humidity levels are created in this habitat, which respond favourably to the needs of flora and fauna. The traffic and noise pollution of Viale Lungo Ticino Sforza are shielded and visitors find themselves immersed in a naturalistic oasis.
THE KINGFISHER
The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) is a coraciform bird of the Alcedinidae family. It is small, between 17 and 25 cm long, with a wingspan of up to 26 cm. It nests on slow-flowing rivers and streams and on the banks of lakes. The back is blue with green iridescence on the head, wings and tail, while the chest and belly are orange-brown. Its flight is close to the water, very fast and short, and characteristic is the 'holy spirit' flight to observe the presence of prey (small fish and crustaceans) in the water, before they dive in.
THE POND
In Horti, the vital element of water is very much present. The pond has an average depth of 80 cm, the water is turbid and its velocity is almost zero. Some fish species live in this habitat, mainly of the Cyprinidae family such as carp. Mallards and moorhens nest along the banks. Commonly one will see grey and white herons, night herons, white storks and kingfishers at the sight.
THE LAKE
The lake habitat is larger and deeper, thus with a lower temperature, than the pond and is supplied by a stream that secures the current. Trout and bleak can be seen here. Along its banks there are many varieties of marsh plants that sink their roots into the water with a purification function and are suitable breeding grounds for frogs and toads that attract wetland-dependent bird species such as the grey and white heron, night heron, white stork and egret.
THE HERB GARDEN
In the herb garden, aromatic plants with different flowering periods are planted. In addition to being pleasant and stimulating, the scents we perceive have an important biological function: they defend plants from phytophagous insects and herbivores and attract pollinating insects. Walking among the plants, it is suggested that visitors gently stroke the leaves to smell the scent and have a unique sensory experience.
THE CARDO
The main route through the park from south to north, called 'cardo' according to ancient Roman terminology, connects the buildings and main areas in Horti. From the entrance, the bistrot, the archaeological excavation of the church of San Marco in Monte Bertone, and the extra Art space follow one another on the right side. The path is lined on both sides by crops of small fruits that mark the path and attract insects and birds, which are fond of the nectar of the flowers and fruits. Among the small fruits are ribes, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and gooseberries. Visitors can pick them and enjoy them.
THE WHITE STORK
The white stork (Ciconia ciconia) is a very large wader, reaching a height of about 100 cm and a wingspan of about 180 cm. Its plumage is white, the remigrant and rudder feathers are black. It has long, thin legs and a very long, thick beak, both orange-red in colour. Males are slightly larger than females. A tireless traveller, the white stork is widespread in Europe, Asia and Africa. Thanks to the dedication of Harry Salamon and his wife Antonia, founders of the Sant'Alessio Oasis a few kilometres from Horti, today the white stork also nests in Lombardy and Piedmont.
THE DISOBEDIENT LAWN
Some of Horti's areas are sown with the most suitable essences to attract bees, butterflies and pollinating insects, which are essential for maintaining biodiversity. The variety of seeds depends on exposure, sun/shade ratio and soil conditions. Flowering for some essences reaches up to 100/150 cm above the ground. By choice, the growth of this lawn is left free.
THE BUGS' HOTEL
Insects play an important role in our ecosystem: they enable the pollination of flowers and vegetables and help defend the earth from other harmful insects. The insect house is an artificial environment composed of different materials, designed to accommodate these beneficial little guests in Horti. Reeds, pieces of bark, straw, pine cones and wooden logs are the elements that compose it. The quarters are mainly occupied in winter and serve as shelter and protection for the colder season.
THE WOODPECKER
Trees with cavities hollowed out by woodpeckers are of great importance for the biodiversity of forest ecosystems as they allow the reproduction of their own species but also of numerous 'host' species, because the holes hollowed out in the trunks provide nesting and shelter opportunities for many other birds, small mammals and social hymenoptera, including wild bees. In addition, these cavities can be used for food supplies and provide a water reserve for many animals at all times of the year. For these reasons, woodpeckers are also referred to as 'ecological engineers'.
ALMO COLLEGIO BORROMEO
The Collegio Borromeo, founded by Carlo Borromeo in 1561, has always hosted university students. The building, designed and built by architect Pellegrino Tibaldi, encloses a large square court, a 17th-century Italian-style garden with a large fountain inside a niche. The Hall of Frescos houses the first monumental pictorial cycle dedicated to St. Charles and commissioned by Federico Borromeo, the College's first pupil and patron. The campus is now completed by the Graduate Section and the Modern Palace (2009).
SAN MARCO IN MONTE BERTONE CHURCH
The church of San Marco in Monte Bertone, the foundation of which dates back to 1174, was purchased by the Almo Collegio Borromeo in 1821 and later demolished to make way for crops and related structures. In 2017, geophysical surveys were carried out that revealed traces of the building. The state of preservation of the remains, despite the demolitions, justified an archaeological exploration, also conceived as a didactic experience for university students, which is still ongoing.
THE GRADUATE SECTION
To the north part of Horti, the 'Pio Luogo Pertusati' building was constructed in the 1750s, thanks to a testamentary bequest of the Bishop of Pavia, Francesco Pertusati. The building, intended to house needy people, opened in 1759. Purchased in 1823 by the Borromeo College with the surrounding land, it is currently home to the 'Graduate Section'. The structure includes an internal portico with Doric granite columns on the ground floor and an open gallery on the upper floor. The adjacent church, now deconsecrated, has been redeveloped as a multi-purpose hall for the Horti.
17TH CENTURY FARMHOUSE
This three-storey building 17th-century construction was purchased by the Collegio in the early 19th century and was kept for agricultural purposes. Radically renovated in 2007, it now houses the Horti bistrot. The venue is managed by Planeat.eco, which promotes and disseminates sustainable economic and social models and systems, aspiring to generate widespread value. Horti's ethical choice also includes outdoor furniture made from extruded profiles of regenerated PVC foam derived from waste plastics and wood flour.
THE WATER DIVIDER
In this small double-chambered wall structure attached to the boundary wall of the garden of the Capuchin Fathers' convent, demolished in the 19th century, water from the moat of the Visconti Castle flowed into the various channels, to irrigate vegetable gardens and orchards, and from here it reached the boundary wall of the 17th-century garden of the College, feeding the fountain inserted in the niche. Today, the divider represents the spring from which the stream that irrigates the pond originates.
THE TREE COMMUNITY
The area between the old brick wall and the north-eastern boundary in Horti is morphologically different from the rest of the park. The trees are thicker, the sun's rays penetrate with difficulty and a stream winds its way through the unevenness of the terrain. A number of artificial nests and feeders have been placed in the branches of the trees, providing shelter and food for various species of birds, especially in the winter months. One has the feeling of crossing a threshold and entering a real community with indissoluble ties: the so-called 'community of trees' as defined by Stefano Mancuso.
INFOPOINT
Come visit us at out infopoint. Every Saturday and Sunday, from 10.00 until sunset.
THE STREAM
The stream is about 145 m long. It gushes out at the northernmost point in Horti, at the ancient water divider that also supplied the College. It runs through the most wooded area and crosses it from north to south, adapting to the orography of the terrain. Three intermediate pools control the flow of water. They are of different depths to provide ideal breeding places for insects and amphibians. A pumping system ensures continuous recirculation of the water and avoids unnecessary waste.
16
Il SALMERINO VIANDANTE
Giulia Mangoni
2022
The Salmerino Viandante is a work composed of three bronze castings depicting specimens of the fish species 'Alpine char,' set on a stone of marine formation - thus rich in fossils - placed within a small body of water. The Alpine char, a member of the salmonid family, inhabits the waters of lakes and streams in the Alps, and the species is believed to date back to the Ice Age.
17
UNTITLED
Jannis Kounellis
2014
The work consists of 48 plaster casts representing heads of classical iconography and 8 limestone elements, tied to seven steel cables hanging from a height of 4 m. The complex of wires resembles a curtain, whose white suspended volumes stand out against a dark arched backdrop. The work was conceived by Jannis Kounellis, one of the greatest contemporary artists and a leading exponent of the Arte Povera movement, on the occasion of the ‘all'Arte’ project to raise funds for medical research.
18
MOVIMENTO DI CROLLO
Arnaldo Pomodoro
1970-1971
This bronze column presents itself to the observer as split down the middle. The image which the sculptor wants to portray is that of an axe blow, sharp and precise, splitting the work exactly in half. The two resulting parts are slightly slanted, as if on the verge of separating and crashing to the ground. The artist's idea is to freeze in time the single moment before the two halves fall.
19
SYMBIOSIS
Accademia di Aracne
2025
A mantle of colourful, ivy-like leaves wraps around tree trunks like a colourful shawl. This is an application of yarn bombing, a street art that consists of covering objects, street furniture and especially trees with crocheted wool. ‘Symbiosis’ translates into art the relationship between ivy and tree trunks and branches that grow together in a close bond of mutual adaptation for survival.
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Creativity, Experience and Technology
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20121 - Milano
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