In the heart of Pavia's historic centre, on Piazza Petrarca, the Malaspina Gardens, completed during the first half of the 19th century, preserve nearly two centuries of history.

A charming 19th-century romantic garden, now open to the public free of charge, this small green oasis is owned by the Province of Pavia. It is the perfect place to relax beneath centuries-old trees, just a short walk from the Fraschini Theatre and Palazzo Malaspina, home to the Prefecture of Pavia.

The Malaspina Gardens owe their origins to Marquis Luigi Malaspina di Sannazzaro (1754–1835), one of Pavia's leading cultural figures of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. A man of letters, art collector and architecture enthusiast, he commissioned the construction of his family palace on Piazza Petrarca, where he also housed his remarkable art and archaeological collections.

The origins of the park date back to 1799, when the suppression of the nearby Monastery of the Annunciata made a large plot of land available north of the palace. It was here that the Marquis decided to create his private garden.

Remarkably progressive for his time, Malaspina wished the garden to be accessible to all citizens on public holidays. It took almost thirty years for the project to be completed. Around 1830, after the demolition of the monastery cloister and its remaining buildings, the garden was extended to the layout that has largely survived to the present day.

Inspired by the English landscape garden, the Marquis personally designed the park, shaping gentle undulations in the terrain and planting horse chestnut, plane and magnolia trees. Many of these specimens have grown into magnificent mature trees of considerable botanical and landscape value.

The garden reached its final form in 1840 with the construction of an elegant Ionic belvedere loggia—a small classical temple built against the wall separating the park from Piazza Petrarca. Today it still offers attractive views over both the square and the gardens.

At the foot of its staircase are three 16th-century funerary monuments belonging to families connected with the Malaspina family, while the wrought-iron entrance gates, designed in 1838 by architect Enrico Terzaghi, are decorated with statues of cherubs holding cornucopias, sculpted by Pietro Cocchi.

Another important chapter in the site's history came in 1896, when Palazzo Malaspina was purchased by the Provincial Administration to become the headquarters of the Prefecture of Pavia. The garden was then divided into two sections: one reserved for the Prefecture offices and the other, still accessible today, open to the public.

Following an initial restoration completed in 2012, the gardens underwent a major redevelopment in spring 2025, promoted by the Province of Pavia.

The project introduced new internal pathways, redesigned flowerbeds, improved pedestrian routes, upgraded lighting and a modern CCTV surveillance system, together with conservation work to enhance the historic trees that characterise the park.

The renewed gardens have been returned to the community with the aim of becoming a vibrant public space, hosting cultural events, educational activities, family initiatives and community gatherings throughout the year.

The Malaspina Gardens are located at Piazza Petrarca 3, Pavia.

Admission is free of charge.