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The first records about the garden of the castle of Turin date back to 1402; some documents in fact, include the expenses for the enlargement of the building during the rule of Ludovico Principe d’Acaia (1402-1418); he also dedicated a lot of space to the “Viridarian Opera” (“green furniture”).

The new garden project followed the very indications suggested in those ancient documents, respecting the traditional division of space into a hortus (vegetable garden), a viridarium (wood and orchard), and an iardinum domini (garden of the prince) as well as decorations with traditional furnishings (a falcon hut, a pigsty and a chicken pen).

In addition to the list mentioned in those medieval papers, several other varieties and assorted herbs – typical of many medieval gardens in Italy and France – were added as well (according to the indications provided by the agricultural and medicinal plants treaties of the XIV and XVcentury).

Organized with checkerboard pattern formed by rectangular flower beds, the vegetable garden is a peculiar one, highly appreciated by prince Ludovico during his walks under the shade of pear and apple trees; the castle gardeners, extensively used it as well, this time to supply the kitchens with legumes, vegetables, spices and medicinal herbs.

“Giardino del Castello” is currently used for many different purposes. For Palazzo Madama, it represents a great opportunity for further development and expansion of its museum: new itineraries and educational workshops are possible in order to promote urban ecology, as well as the importance of green spaces, their history and their protection.
The reconstruction of the medieval garden allows an approach to plant species of current secondary importance, recovering the very meaning and value of biodiversity while favouring and promoting projects in collaboration with other city institutions.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)