Herbarium at the Monastery of Torba

Medicinal Herbs in an Ancient Place

Herbarium is the event that each spring transforms the Monastery of Torba, in Gornate Olona (province of Varese), into a meeting point for nature, science, and history. The monastery, a FAI property and part of the UNESCO site "Longobards in Italy," preserves an ancient tradition: Benedictine monks cultivated medicinal plants here from the 8th century onwards. Herbarium carries on this legacy, dedicating an entire weekend to medicinal and herbal plants.

Workshops, Illustration, and Cooking with Herbs

The program includes numerous workshops: from cultivating aromatic plants to binding herbariums, from botanical illustration to cooking with wild herbs, led by industry experts. The activities allow participants to learn how to identify, gather, and use herbs, combining traditional knowledge with contemporary botanical understanding.

Market, Tastings, and Walks

Throughout the two days, an artisan market will offer medicinal plants, natural cosmetics, and spirits. There will also be identification walks for wild herbs, led by experts, and tastings of local products, from bitters to vermouths to local gin. It's an opportunity to discover the deep connection between humans and plants in a natural setting of rare beauty.

Guided Tours of the Lombard Complex

During the event, guided tours of the Torba archaeological complex and the Castelseprio area are scheduled, allowing visitors to discover the history of this extraordinary UNESCO site. Herbarium thus becomes a complete experience, capable of combining knowledge of herbs with the discovery of a unique historical and landscape heritage in the province of Varese.