Chats in the Garden: new synergies for the enhancement of Pojega Garden

Over the last few weeks, Giardino di Pojega has been transformed into a convivial salon to host ‘Chats in the Garden’, a cycle of five appointments that brought together public and private entities to reflect on new possible synergies and partnerships for the relaunch and valorisation of this jewel of green architecture, a stone's throw from the centre of Verona and Lake Garda.

The event, conceived within the framework of the initiatives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), saw the participation of local authorities, cultural associations, and representatives of tourism and institutions, all united by the objective of creating synergies to innovate and build sustainable territorial networks. Guided by Daniela Cavallo, Project Leader of the PG&W agency, and accompanied by the presence of Agostino Rizzardi, owner and descendant of the historical Rizzardi family, the participants shared visions and concrete goals for the future of the Pojega Garden.

During the meetings, we were able to involve the DMO Garda Verona Foundation and Verona Up, together with institutional and cultural representatives, to emphasise the importance of public-private partnerships in creating innovative services and integrated circuits that can elevate the Giardino di Pojega as a centre of cultural and tourist activities for Valpolicella. Representatives of the hospitality and agritourism industry, such as the Association of Hoteliers of Verona and the Veneto Region and Cooperativa Albergatori Verona, could not be absent, with a special focus on sustainable development and the opportunities related to horticultural tourism, a new type of tourism, all devoted to greenery, that transforms historic gardens into a destination for visitors seeking a corner of beauty and tranquillity. 

Particularly stimulating was the dialogue with important realities in the world of contemporary art in Verona, such as Galleria Kromia and Artep Italia, laying the foundations for cultural projects that make the garden a natural setting for artistic installations, where nature and art dialogue, offering unique experiences to visitors.

Particular attention was given to the collaboration with the Municipality of Negrar: Mayor Fausto Rossignoli and Count Agostino Rizzardi signed the partnership at the end of the meeting dedicated to the ‘garden as a place of care through beauty and wellbeing’, which was attended by a representative of the Management of the Sacro Cuore Hospital in Negrar, a body with which they are working for an important national event in 2025.

‘Chiacchiere in Giardino’ has consolidated the mission of the Pojega Garden as a place of dialogue and inspiration, a natural laboratory for imagining models of integrated and sustainable tourism, with the support of partners who share a vision attentive to the beauty and history of the territory. ‘Now the Garden will take advantage of the winter break to complete the restoration and rehabilitation of the botanical elements. With the reopening in April 2025, we will be ready to welcome visitors in its full splendour, continuing the path traced by these precious encounters with new momentum,’ said Agostino Rizzardi.