Sixty years ago, the Pietra Corva Botanical Garden was born. On Sunday, July 5, 2026, that story becomes the opening event of the second edition of "Pietra Corva, che sorpresa!" ("Pietra Corva, What a Surprise!"), the event series promoted by the Provincia di Pavia and Ticinum Festival APS, in collaboration with Iolas, Ad Maiora, the Club Alpino Italiano, the Gruppo Micologico Vogherese, and numerous local associations. From July to September, the garden becomes the base camp for exploring the Alto Oltrepò through workshops, hikes, talks, music, and activities for adults and children.

This is precisely what's new about the 2026 edition. The program doesn't stop at the garden gates — it takes the public along the trails of the Apennines. Visitors climb Monte Lesima and Monte Alpe with the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), venture into the woods with mycologists, observe ecosystems with naturalist Francesco Gatti, discover wild herbs, and practice yoga immersed in nature. The garden remains the heart of the event series, but it becomes the starting point for reading the landscape that surrounds it.

The season opens on Sunday, July 5 with "Le voci di Pietra Corva" ("The Voices of Pietra Corva"), a gathering dedicated to the memories of those who watched the garden come to life and grow. In 2027, the botanical area — established in 1967 by veterinarian and naturalist Antonio Ridella — will mark its sixtieth anniversary. This event opens the journey toward that milestone by gathering testimonies and stories from those who have been part of Pietra Corva's history. The day also features the first yoga session of the season, the "Tesori nella sabbia" ("Treasures in the Sand") workshop for children, and a nature walk with Francesco Gatti.

The program then takes visitors beyond the garden itself. Thanks to the collaboration with the Club Alpino Italiano, two hikes up Monte Lesima and Monte Alpe join the calendar, guided by naturalist Francesco Gatti, while the Gruppo Micologico Vogherese will lead a trek dedicated to mushrooms. This marks a step forward from the first edition: the project now embraces the entire environmental system of the Alto Oltrepò, of which Pietra Corva is one of the symbolic landmarks.

Alongside the hikes, there's room for Ad Maiora's science workshops, talks on wild herbs and natural cosmetics, philosophical walks immersed in nature, and events with archaeologist Stefano Maggi and naturalist Francesco Gatti. The common thread remains experience itself: not just listening, but walking, observing, and discovering firsthand.

USEFUL INFORMATION

The garden is currently managed by the Provincia di Pavia through an agreement with the Comune di Romagnese and the Comunità Montana Oltrepò Pavese. Associazione Ticinum Festival, drawing on its experience organizing Horti Aperti – Festival del verde in città, is the Provincia di Pavia's partner in delivering the project.

The garden is open to the public on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during the week for organized group visits.

Admission to the Botanical Garden requires a ticket, with the following pricing:

• Children and young people up to age 18, and adults over 65: free admission
• Residents of the Comunità Montana Oltrepò Pavese area: free admission
• Adults aged 18–64: €3.00

In addition, admission is free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every open month.

Workshops are free of charge and can be booked on the Ad Maiora website: https://www.admaiora.education/it/dove-lavoriamo/pavia/famiglie-e-adulti

How to get there: Parco Monte Pietra Corva, 27050 Romagnese PV https://www.google.com/maps/place/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4780b15c69171d45:0xa...

The full calendar of events and workshops is published at www.pietracorva.it and on our social channels:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pietracorva_chesorpresa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576260863194

Attached: a detailed overview of the scheduled events.

Opening hours

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