Villa Salina Malpighi, Villa in Castel Maggiore, Italy
Villa Salina Malpighi is a historic villa on the northern edge of Castel Maggiore, near Bologna, listed as Italian national heritage. The main building connects to two side wings through arched passages, and the surrounding park still holds an old oak tree with a trunk of about 5 meters (16 ft) in circumference, along with yews and cypresses.
The villa dates back to the 16th century and gained wider recognition when the scientist Marcello Malpighi bought it in 1682 and wrote important botanical works there. After several changes of ownership, Giovanni Antonio Salina acquired it in 1762 and expanded the property with side buildings, a designed garden, and painted interiors.
The villa is known for an autumn evening event called 'A spasso nel parco', where visitors walk through the park and meet actors dressed as historical figures like Marcello Malpighi, poets, and members of the Salina family. The event uses storytelling, shadows, and live performances to bring the garden's past to life after sunset.
The villa sits on the northern edge of Castel Maggiore, in a low-traffic area that is easy to reach on foot from the town center. Since the property is used for public events and activities managed by the local municipality, it is worth checking in advance whether something is on during your visit.
Although the garden once featured rare plants, sculpted figures on pillars by the artist Giovanni Putti, and a small private chapel with wall paintings by Onofrio Zanotti, almost none of these elements survive today. The one exception is the old oak tree, whose trunk is so wide that several people standing side by side could barely wrap their arms around it.
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