Its history is an ancient one, dating back to 14 May 1407. We are talking about the Sigurtà Garden Parkone of the most fascinating examples of garden design in Italy.Surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Valeggio sul Mincio, the park refers to the figure of Gerolamo Nicolò Contarini, who acquired the entire property that was once predominantly agricultural.
Originally, in fact, Sigurtà Garden Park was a farmhouse surrounded by forage lands, embraced by high walls and housing a small garden geometric for the relaxation and idleness of noblemen.
A 'Domus Magna' was also built in this area, a building that was the residence of the Contarini family, which was flanked by smaller dwellings for the employees who worked the land.
La history of the park is enriched by various transitions and changes over the centuries, until it assumed its present appearance, which describes the garden with its many points of interest.
Points of interest of Sigurtà Garden Park
1. The Avenue of Roses
The Avenue of Roses is the place that most distinguishes the garden the world. One kilometre long, every spring it hosts more than 30,000 selected roses Queen Elizabeth and Hybrid Polyantha & Floribunda.
2. The Labyrinth
Evocative is the maze of passages of the labyrinth, which, when admired from above, offers a spectacle of natural geometry.
3. Large turf
The Large Turf is a vast expanse, in the centre of which are flowering ponds, surrounded by romantic weeping willow and annual plants, small ponds with water lilies and water hibiscus, and home to colourful Japanese Koi carp.
4. The horizontal sundial and medicinal plants
Characteristic is the Meridian designed by a geometric layout electronically engraved on the dial. Inside the park, you can also admire a garden with around 40 species of medicinal plants, at the centre of which stands the statue of a lion.
5. Water gardens and boxwoods
Colourful are also the water gardens remember, sheets of water where they float water lilies rustic and tropical, while box trees are the most present element in the park, a true symbol of theItalian topiary art.
6. The Hermitage and the Stone of Youth
The Hermitage of Laura is the building erected in 1792 by Marquis Antonio Maffei and enriches and ennobles the Sigurtà Garden Park.
Eulogy to youth is then the hymn written on a slab of rock embedded in the bossi of the gardenwhich represents the 'creed' of the Sigurtà family and Albert Bruce Sabin, the great scientist who was often a guest of the Park.
7. The Castellet
Also fascinating is the Castelletto, a crenellated building with neo-Gothic windows built by Marquis Antonio Maffei, once the 'Sala d'Armi' (Weapons Room) and a venue for scientific and literary meetings.
8. The Great Oak
For nature lovers, the Great Oak is one of the most popular attractions. A specimen with a trunk circumference of 6 metres, it covers an area of around 1000 square metres.
9. The monument to Carlo Sigurtà
Large in size is this monument, which is also visible from other points in the park, the work of sculptor Dante Carpigiani, representing Carlo Sigurtà.
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