Orticolario is the autumn event where nature becomes the inspiration for one’s lifestyle. Held annually at Villa Erba since 2009, it takes place during the first weekend of October.
This experience combines design, art, themed gardens, rare and unusual plants, collectors’ items, and artistic craftsmanship, featuring over 250 exhibitors in the park and exhibition centre overlooking Lake Como.
The fifteenth edition will be held from 2nd to 5th October 2025, at Villa Erba in Cernobbio.
The event will also feature gardens and installations throughout the park, each inspired by the year’s theme and selected through the prestigious International Creative Spaces Competition. The winner will be awarded the “La Foglia d’Oro del Lago di Como” special prize. Alongside these, art and design projects, expert talks, and performances will offer visitors the chance to explore the interplay between nature and human creativity.
Children will also find their own corner of magic within Orticolario, with activities designed to introduce them to the evolving world of gardening, sparking curiosity and encouraging hands-on learning.
Exploring the Depths of “Terrae”
Orticolario 2024 was not just an event; it was an odyssey into the heart of the Earth. It drew attention to the soil beneath our feet—not the grand, capital “T” Terra that majestically turns in the cosmos, but the humble, often overlooked Earth that crumbles, dirties, and sustains all life. That year, Orticolario aimed to honour the secret world beneath us, where invisible yet powerful forces of nature worked their magic, from seed to sprout, from life to decay.
Central to this exploration were the phytoremediation plants—over 400 species identified for their remarkable ability to purify soil and water. Ordinary yet extraordinary plants like cabbage, sunflowers, willows, and irises took centre stage, showcasing their role as nature’s sentinels in combating pollution and restoring environmental balance.
A Journey Worth Taking
As autumn paints the shores of Lake Como in golden hues, Orticolario offers the perfect reason to visit this enchanting region. Visitors can enjoy a glamorous boat ride across Lake Como, arriving directly at Villa Erba’s pier from Como City, with a shuttle service included in the ticket price. Whether you stay in an exclusive lakeside villa or a charming B&B, Cernobbio and its surroundings offer a wealth of options for every traveller.
Tickets are available online and at the venue. For more information, visit Orticolario website.
Start: October 2, 2025 End: October 5, 2025
Place: Largo Luchino Visconti, 4 Cernobbio, CO 22012 Italy
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