This spring, you can follow the flowering of the wisteria at Villa Bardini by webcam if you can’t make it there in person (or you’re feeling too lazy to clamber up the hill).
Every year, Villa Bardini receives thousands of visitors eager to see its famous pergola. In a press release, Jacopo Speranza, president of the Fondazione Parchi Monumentali Bardini e Peyron, commented that people “often write to us for information about the flourishing. That’s why we thought of setting up a webcam so that people can follow the process directly. We’re happy to be able to celebrate this flower at the height of its splendour.”
For those wishing to see the blossom up close, Villa Bardini is hosting a “wisteria festival” until May 1, with a total of 25 guided tours, 7 of which are in English and will stop by the Pinocchio, Harry Potter, Topolino, Heidi and all the rest exhibition currently on at the villa. Highlights include a gallery to show wisteria through a range of media, from poetry to cooking. Landscape architect Claudia Mezzapesa will explain how to recognise various species of wisteria and talk about some of the Far-Eastern legends surrounding the plant. Tickets cost 10 euros and can be purchased at www.beemyguide.com.
On April 21 and 22, head up the hill for events aimed at families, with musically-accompanied readings from children’s books and group singing and dancing, followed by a walk under the wisteria. These events are free but booking is necessary (055/20066214 /villabardini@bardinipeyron.it).
