Hortus Conclusus, Installation artwork in Benevento, Italy.
Hortus Conclusus is an art installation set in a former monastery garden that merges contemporary sculptures with Roman architectural remains, including bronze figures and fountains. The site arranges these elements together to create an open-air exhibition space.
The work was created in 1992 by artist Mimmo Paladino along with architects Roberto Serino and Pasquale Palmieri, who transformed an old vegetable garden into an open-air museum. A complete restoration in 2005 renewed the bronze sculptures and reactivated the water features for the public.
The bronze horse wearing a golden mask draws on Agamemnon mythology and connects with other works that express regional symbols through fountains, bells, and animal figures.
Access to the grounds is straightforward, and you can explore the installation on foot without dealing with difficult paths or getting lost. Most works sit at ground level, allowing visitors to walk freely and view the pieces from different angles.
At the center sits a large metal disc that works as both a sculptural piece and water feature, anchoring the space visually. Ancient column fragments are scattered throughout and quietly link the grounds to the site's local Roman past.
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