With its centuries-old trees, shady babbling irrigation canals, and a large lawn expanse enhancing the views and the Gothic Revival greenhouses covered in Ficus pumila, this time-honoured park is now a centre for art and environmental culture.
Towards the end of the 18th century, Marquis Maurizio Massel di Caresana initiated the transformation of an old farm building into an aristocratic residence. His wife Maria Elisabetta della Marmora, known as Babet can be credited with the Gothic Revival style of the building and the landscaping of the garden, defined between 1823 and 1830, which initially saw the contribution of German architect Xavier Kurten, who had recently been appointed Head of the park and gardens of Racconigi. In 1866, as a wedding gift to Teresa Massel, Maria Elisabetta’s niece, Count Luigi Cacherano di Bricherasio offered to cover the expenses for further modifications of the complex increasing the Gothic Revival decorations, such as the family emblems on the facade, testifying the union of the two family names. The six-hectare park expands around a great lawn adjacent to the castle, covering the perimeter of the property with greeneries, tree groves and isolated trees. In the past a well-structured network of irrigation canals used to supply water to a no longer existent pond. The property is home to over 1,700 trees of different sizes and types, covering over 70 species: amongst camelias and hydrangeas stand majestic trees of exotic origin such as
Highlights
Hydrangeas
Between June and September, the park is in bloom with the Hydrangea macrophylla varieties of “Otaksa” and “Mariesi Perfecta”, a hybrid that was selected in France by Lemoine in 1904 that is one of the most interesting specimens in the park for its age and presence. The collection also includes late bloomers such as the
The bamboo grove
By the keeper’s house grows a beautiful giant bamboo grove, an emblem of late-19th-century botanical collections. The irrigation canal flowing across creates a relaxing sound while allowing the vegetation to thrive.
Camelias
The Park features great camelia bushes that were planted during the 19th century. In March 2019 over 130 camelia cultivars were added deriving from old exemplars belonging to two of the earliest and most notable camelia collections in Italy, the former Albergo Eden in Verbania and Villa Durazzo Pallavicini in Pegli.
The conservatory
This 1831 Gothic Revival greenhouse erected at Maria Elisabetta della Marmora’s behest recalls similar structures of royal and aristocratic residences. Archive records attest that in 1870 this conservatory held over 1,300 potted plants, of which around 50 were citrus trees.
The monumental trees
The park’s remarkable tree population includes five notable specimens listed as Monumental Trees: a hornbeam, a Ginko Biloba, a bald cypress, and a yew tree and liriodendron, the last two being the oldest and tallest specimen respectively.