Piovera Orchidea

An orchid exhibition and market in a Piedmontese castle

Piovera Orchidea is the event that transforms the Castle of Piovera, in the municipality of Alluvioni Piovera (Alessandria), into a vast orchid garden every spring. The exhibition and market traditionally marks the start of the castle's tourist season, drawing enthusiasts, growers, and curious visitors from all over Italy and abroad to the heart of Piedmont. The castle's halls and gardens host floral displays, plant sales, educational sessions, and activities for families.

Orchids in the spotlight

The Castle Barn (Fienile del Castello) hosts the exhibition of the most remarkable orchid specimens, ranging from selected hybrids to botanical species sourced from specialized collections and nurseries. The plants on display are evaluated by international judges from the Deutsche Orchideen-Gesellschaft, the prestigious German society dedicated to these flowers, which awards prizes to the most deserving specimens. Alongside Italian growers, European exhibitors—particularly from Germany and France—offer rare and high-quality orchids for sale.

Conferences, courses, and workshops

The Knight's Hall (Sala del Cavaliere) is the hub for educational content: technical conferences and basic cultivation courses are held here, covering everything from greenhouse orchid care to home cultivation, as well as in-depth discussions on the relationship between plants and the environment. In the Old Workshop and the gardens, there are botanical games, educational trails, and sensory activities designed especially for children, organized in collaboration with the Alessandria Botanical Garden and the RNA (Natura e Ragazzi) association.

Nature, biodiversity, and castle tours

The event is closely linked to environmental protection themes: significant space is dedicated to biodiversity, native wild orchids, and the initiatives of the "Biodiversity Guardians." During the weekend, it is also possible to visit the museum spaces of the Castle of Piovera, either independently or via guided tours by reservation, discovering the history of one of the most fascinating historic residences in the Alessandria area.

An event for all of Piedmont

Organized by the Castelpiovera Cultural Association in collaboration with ALAO (Lombard Orchid Lovers Association), the Piovera Pro Loco, and with the support of the municipalities of Alessandria and Alluvioni Piovera, Piovera Orchidea is now a staple of the Piedmont region's spring calendar, successfully combining botanical passion, the promotion of historical heritage, and nature education in a unique setting.