Appuntamento in Giardino (Rome edition - Giardino Cairoli)

A weekend to see gardens with fresh eyes

Appuntamento in Giardino is a national initiative promoted by APGI - Associazione Parchi e Giardini d'Italia, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Ales Spa, which opens hundreds of parks and gardens across all Italian regions to the public every June. The event takes place simultaneously with Rendez-vous aux jardins, a major European festival involving over twenty countries: for one weekend, historic, botanical, private, and contemporary gardens become places for storytelling, listening, and meeting.

In the City of Rome, the heart of the Lazio Region, the initiative finds one of its most significant expressions in the Giardino di Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, located in the Regola district, just a few steps from Via Arenula and Campo de' Fiori. It is not a monumental park or a noble villa: it is a local public garden, and for this very reason, it perfectly captures the spirit of the most recent edition, dedicated to the role of civic stewardship of green heritage.

Giardino Cairoli: a 19th-century history

The garden's history began in 1886, when the German baron Wilhelm (Guglielmo) Hüffer proposed that the City Council allow him to create a garden at his own expense in the space opened up by the demolition of the old Piazza de' Branca. The project was entrusted to the French landscape architect Édouard André, one of the greatest interpreters of the late 19th-century European garden. The square was later named after Benedetto Cairoli, a Garibaldian soldier and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Italy, who passed away during those years.

Today, the garden is known to Romans for its unusually well-maintained state: the credit goes to the Associazione Guglielmo Hüffer, which brings together local residents and, under an agreement with the I Municipality, takes care of the daily maintenance of the flowerbeds, trees, and furnishings. It is a concrete example of civic participation in protecting a collective asset, a theme that recent editions of Appuntamento in Giardino have proudly highlighted.

What to do during the event

The format is simple and consistent throughout Italy: special, free, or reduced-price openings, accompanied by a program of activities designed for a broad, intergenerational audience. At the various locations, you will typically find:

• Guided tours with gardeners, botanists, landscape historians, and volunteers;
• Workshops for children and families dedicated to plants, seeds, and urban biodiversity;
• Readings, lectures, and meetings on the garden as a cultural asset;
• Concerts and small performances in the open air;
• Stories about the history of the site and the daily maintenance work.

Each edition features a common theme that guides the proposals: in 2025, it was 'Stone Gardens. The stones of the garden,' dedicated to the material and symbolic role of stone in green spaces; in 2026, the theme was 'The View,' an invitation to observe the garden from different perspectives and grasp its historical, artistic, botanical, and landscape complexity.

Why it's worth visiting

For those visiting Rome, Appuntamento in Giardino is an opportunity to step off the beaten path and discover a lesser-known but very vibrant green space. The Giardino Cairoli, in particular, can be crossed in a few minutes but offers a shaded respite in the heart of the historic center, among palm trees, tall trees, the fountain, and benches where local residents gather. It is also a great starting point for a walk towards the Ghetto, Largo di Torre Argentina, and Tiber Island.

The initiative is also part of a broader framework: the national program for the restoration, enhancement, and census of historic parks and gardens funded by the PNRR, which has involved dozens of sites opened specifically for this weekend.

Tips for your visit

The garden is small: it is best to combine the visit with other Roman and Lazio openings by checking the map published on the official website of the initiative. Morning or late afternoon hours are best, when the June heat is more bearable and the light on the greenery is at its finest.