"Open Gardens" in Ponzano Monferrato

Spectacular blooms in the gardens of castles and historic villas, walks, guided tours, photography exhibitions, meetings, and food and wine experiences. Numerous attractions make the first weekend of May a truly rich one in Ponzano Monferrato, where "Giardini Aperti" (Open Gardens) returns. This year, the event, promoted by the Municipality and the Pro Loco of Ponzano Monferrato, dedicates a weekend to the wonders of spring, to be admired among the hills of Monferrato and just steps from the Sacro Monte di Crea. The focus of the events is on the garden as a place of the senses: thanks to the peak blooming of the many botanical varieties that grow around five of Ponzano Monferrato's historic castles and villas, visitors can experience the wonder of colors, scents, and views, all complemented by a variety of initiatives. The "Giardino Diffuso" (Widespread Garden) is undoubtedly one of Ponzano Monferrato's best calling cards, so much so that it was awarded the De.Co (Municipal Designation of Origin) designation many years ago. The events will begin on the afternoon of Saturday, May 2nd, with the now customary meeting to discuss with experts topics related to gardens, agriculture, and hospitality. This year's discussion will focus on "Greenery that Makes Us Feel Good," a "journey through health, well-being, and identity" that will lead attendees to "discover why the garden is not a luxury but the most important room in the home." The topic will be discussed starting at 4:30 pm in the Council Chamber of Ponzano Town Hall, with agronomist and Asproflor technician Enrico Leva, who will delve into the topic "The Pride of Having a Garden." Following this, Piedmont Regional Councilor Marco Protopapa (Vice President of the Agriculture Commission) will focus on "The Value of Agriculture in Well-Being." These discussions will then move immediately to the art of photography with the inauguration at 6 pm at the Dimora Al Sagittario on Via Venda 1 of the exhibition "Secret Garden," curated by Dutch visual artist Michelle Blancke. The Amsterdam-based artist has chosen the hills of Ponzano Monferrato as her home, presenting several masterpieces from her collection, dedicated specifically to the theme of gardens. Her work has been showcased throughout Europe at art fairs, public institutions, and museum exhibitions. Michelle won third prize at the 2025 BBA Photo Prize, collaborating with the BBA Gallery in Berlin and exhibiting at the York Art Gallery. The secret garden, according to the artist, is a gateway to a hidden world, to the mysteries of life that lie beyond what is visible in nature. Her works will be open to visitors at the opening and throughout Sunday, during the opening hours of the Ponzano gardens. Saturday evening will continue with the distribution of food specialties from 7:30 pm at the Pro Loco of Ponzano Monferrato in Piazza Unità d'Italia, where, at 9 pm, musical entertainment will begin with the "Emozioni Band." Special attention is paid to the food offerings on Saturday evening and Sunday lunch, with a menu that highlights Ponzano's specialties, particularly those of the local Municipal Designations. Both Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch will feature traditional appetizers such as cold cuts, Russian salad, Piedmontese antipasto, Tomini cheese with mustard, roast beef with vegetable flan, and hazelnut panna cotta. Nocciolotti di Salabue (a type of pasta) will also be available on Saturday, and Tagliolini with spring tomato sauce will be available on Sunday. A children's menu is also available, featuring Tagliolini with tomato sauce, vegetable flan, and hazelnut panna cotta with water. Franco Nazzari will also be serving Monferrato wines, while Birrificio Ottigliese will also be serving its own beers. Meals can be booked in advance, subject to availability. Sunday, May 3rd, will be a day to experience outdoors, exploring the many enchanting gardens and landscapes of Ponzano Monferrato, thanks to the opening of the gardens and parks of five must-see locations between the capital and the village of Salabue. The early morning event returns (meeting at 8:30 a.m. and departure at 9 a.m., in Piazza Unità d'Italia) with the "Di Giardino in Giardino" walk, organized in collaboration with Nordic Walking Valcerrina (reservations are available at +39 339 4188277). This scenic route, approximately 10 km long, will be a must-do for participants returning to town. Upon returning to town, participants can enjoy lunch at the Pro Loco tourist office by reservation. From 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., the public can visit the flower-filled gardens of Villa Il Cedro, Dimora Al Sagittario, Castello di Ponzano, Villa Marta, and Castello di Salabue, which have long been part of the Ponzano De.Co. (Deco) of the "Diffused Garden." The tours, coordinated by volunteer tour operators from Ponzano Monferrato, are free and offer the opportunity to admire borders, majestic trees, and flowers, set in their natural and scenic surroundings. Additionally, two visits (departing at 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) will be available to the extraordinary Salabue Artistic Zoo, featuring installations by artist and owner Giancarlo Bonaventi, an expert in installations and decorations who has created an open-air zoo in his Salabue garden with artistic reproductions of animals modeled from iron. Art will also be a key focus of the day, with special openings of the Parish Churches of Ponzano and Salabue, where visitors can admire the artistic and architectural treasures, thanks to volunteers who will accompany visitors. From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, aromatic herbs and flowers will be available for purchase at the stands of Vivai Maggetti, Giardino Naturale di Ilde, and Vivaio Asproflor di Graziella, all present at the event. Additionally, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm (reservations recommended), the Alemat (Via Giardini 19, tel. 340 5004378) and Nazzari (Via Fossati 8, tel. 347 5440059) wineries will be open for visits (reservations recommended), with the possibility of tastings and, at Alemat, a tour of the infernot. From 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, the visits will also be enlivened by entertainment with traveling jugglers, soap bubbles, and balloon sculptures for adults and children, curated by "Marick Animazione." Other must-see attractions during the weekend for snapping photos immersed in Ponzano's landscapes include the panoramic frames set amidst nature in Ponzano and Salabue. Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Town Hall, visitors will be greeted by the colorful, spring-like "Ballerina del Monferrato," the flower installation that has welcomed visitors near the Town Hall of Ponzano Monferrato for six years. "'Giardini Aperti' is undoubtedly an opportunity to showcase the best of Ponzano Monferrato to visitors," commented Ponzano Monferrato Mayor Paolo Lavagno, "and it is thanks to the owners of the castles and villas, the volunteer tour operators, the Pro Loco, all the collaborators and protagonists of the events, and the participating companies that the event can be so representative of our region. I invite everyone—Monferrato residents and tourists from outside the area—to seize this opportunity by staying in Ponzano for the entire weekend and enjoying the many beauties and delicacies that the event and the town offer." The event is being held in collaboration with Cosmo and Doria. An information point will be set up in Piazza Marconi on Sunday, May 3rd, to provide visitors with useful information. Anyone wishing to receive more details about the event or to book meals on Saturday and Sunday can call +39 366 2815499 or email info@prolocoponzanomonferrato.it.