The Heart of Camellias

A secret garden in the Canavese

The Heart of Camellias is a new botanical and sensory park that has opened its doors in Chiaverano, a small town in the Metropolitan City of Turin, set within the Ivrea morainic amphitheatre in Piedmont. The inaugural public season began on March 23, 2026, in the park of Casa Bose, where over 400 blooming camellias tell a story of passion, memory, and sharing.

From the collection of Roberto Giovine

The garden originated from the private collection of Professor Roberto Giovine, a passionate camellia collector who transformed his property into an oasis of rare botanical beauty over the years. The varieties present include Camellia japonica, Camellia Higo, and Camellia sasanqua, alongside rare cultivars seldom found in Italian gardens. The park is now managed by the Associazione Piccolo Carro ODV ETS, a local organization founded in 2008 to support adults with disabilities through inclusive activities.

A 15-stage sensory trail

The core of the experience is a botanical and sensory itinerary that unfolds across 15 stages, traversing diverse and evocative environments:

• the tranquility of the Pine Forest;
• the luminous Chestnut Terrace;
• the intimate Birch Grove;
• the dramatic Glacial Rocks;
• the exotic Agave Corner;
• the poetic Stairway to Heaven.

Each stage invites visitors to slow down, observe, and be guided by the colors and scents of the blooms.

An oasis for the community

The first public season saw great participation, with nearly 1,000 visit requests received by the association. Once the spring flowering concludes, the park does not close; it continues to thrive as an open space, hosting painting workshops, yoga classes, conferences, seminars, and cultural events dedicated to wellness and personal growth by appointment. Beyond its naturalistic value, the initiative has a strong social dimension: the proceeds and activities of the Piccolo Carro Association support people with disabilities in the Chiaverano community and the wider Canavese region.