Anime Verdi – 9th Edition of the Open Gardens Festival

Padua, May 16–17, 2026

On May 16 and 17, 2026, the gardens of Padua reopen with the Anime Verdi Festival.

45 private gardens are joined by 4 public parks of the city as a valuable complement. A widespread route transforms Padua into one large urban park, where the streets of the city center and those near the city walls become part of an open, continuous, and shared landscape.

For two days, anyone wearing the Festival wristband symbolically becomes a co-owner of an extraordinary green heritage—a common good revealed thanks to the generosity of the owners, who choose with trust and hospitality to share their most intimate and carefully maintained spaces.

Amid the splashing of a fountain, the rustling of leaves, and the crunch of footsteps along pathways, the gazes and stories of curious visitors intertwine, often surprised by the hidden beauty of the city. Guarding these small great treasures are over 100 young volunteers, who with commitment and dedication welcome the public and help create a unique atmosphere.

Anime Verdi is more than an event—it is a temporary community where visitors, owners, partners, and young people share an experience that blends nature, culture, and relationships. The Festival is enriched by a widespread program of guided tours, concerts, performances, meetings, and activities.

Participating in Anime Verdi is an invitation to slow down, observe, and feel part of a living heritage to be discovered and preserved together.

Garden Opening Hours

Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:45 PM to 7:00 PM.

How it works

• To access the gardens, a wristband is required.
• The wristband is valid for the entire duration of the festival, provided it is worn visibly and shows no signs of damage.
• Animals of any size are not allowed.
• Garden entrances are marked by Anime Verdi signage and supervised by volunteers, who regulate access in compliance with safety regulations and garden capacity.
• The organization apologizes in advance for any queues. Real-time updates will always be available on the festival’s social channels.
• The event will take place even in case of bad weather.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the Infopoint booth in Via Oberdan

Pre-sale tickets

• Full price: €12
• Reduced with coupon: €10
• Reduced under 25: €9
• Alumni Members + 2 guests: €8 (upon presentation of the 2026 membership card)
• Free: people with disabilities, children under 15 accompanied by adults with wristband

Tickets during the Festival

• Full price: €14
• Reduced with coupon: €10
• Reduced under 25: €9
• Alumni Members + 2 guests: €8 (upon presentation of the 2026 membership card)
• Free: people with disabilities, children under 15 accompanied by adults with wristband

Add a weekend to the festival

By keeping your festival wristband and presenting it at the entrance, you can access the Botanical Garden or the Museum of Nature and Humankind of the University of Padua at a reduced rate on May 23 and 24.

Advance sales

• Online at www.animeverdi.it
• Ticket office: the booth in Via Oberdan from May 7–14 (10:00 AM –2:00 PM and 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) and May 15 (8:30 AM –7:00 PM)

Infopoint, ticket office and shop during the festival

Via Oberdan – May 16, from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM and May 17 from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Anime Verdi is an initiative of:

Progetto Giovani Office – Mayor’s Office of the Municipality of Padua, Il Raggio Verde, and Xena

under the patronage of the University of Padua, CSV of Padua and Rovigo, Parks and Gardens of Italy Association, in collaboration with Alumni Unipd, Historic Garden Group University of Padua, Friends of Gardening Society Padua, Department of Historical and Geographic Sciences and the Ancient World University of Padua, Nova Symphonia Patavina, C.O.S.E. IN COMUNA, Botanical Garden and Museum of Nature and Humankind, RUPA, Glamour, Cometa Circus and in media partnership with Il Mattino di Padova and Veneto Segreto.

THE ANIME VERDI 2026 GARDENS

1. Monte Gallo, 9 (Sunday only)
2. Via Monte Grappa, 9
3. Via Monte Grappa, 23
4. Via Euganea, 48
5. Riviera S. Benedetto, 90 (accessible for people with disabilities if accompanied) (Sunday only)
6. Via del Vescovado, 30
7. Riviera Paleocapa, 10
8. Via Cernaia, 1/A
9. Via Cernaia, 3
10. Via P. Paoli, 16 (Saturday only)
11. Via Cappuccini, 1 C (reduced hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
12. Piazzale Santa Croce, 44 (reduced hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM and 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM) – place of prayer, please respect silence
13. Via Alicorno, 7 bis
14. Via Giordano Bruno, 13 NEW
15. A Via Michele Sanmicheli, 65 (Roseto Michele of Santa Giustina)
16. Via Jacopo Stellini, 5
17. Via Michele Sanmicheli, 30 NEW
18. B Via Bartolomeo D’Alviano (Parco Treves)
19. Via Sant’Eufemia, 13 (Parco Città dei Bambini) RE-ENTRY
20. Via Cesare Battisti, 241 (Saturday only)
21. Via Altinate, 141 NEW
22. Via Altinate, 116 (Sunday only)
23. Viale della Rotonda (Giardini della Rotonda)
24. Via Raggio di Sole, 5 (Saturday only)
25. Via Raggio di Sole, 2
26. Via Pilade Bronzetti, 14A
27. Via G. B. da Monte, 2 (Sunday only) RE-ENTRY
28. Via G. B. da Monte, 3 (Sunday only) RE-ENTRY
29. Via G. B. da Monte, 5 (Sunday only) RE-ENTRY
30. Via Arnaldo Fusinato, 57 (Sunday only) RE-ENTRY
31. Via Zabarella, 82 RE-ENTRY
32. Via S. Francesco, 118 (Saturday only) – place of prayer
33. Via Galileo Galilei, 17 (Sunday only)
34. Via del Santo, 57 (reduced hours: closes at 6:00 PM) RE-ENTRY
35. Piazza del Santo, 11 (Saturday only, reduced hours: 9:30 AM – 12:30 AM and 2:45 PM – 6:00 PM) – place of prayer, , please respect silence
36. Prato della Valle, 64
37. Vicolo Cigolo
38. Prato della Valle, 80
39. Via Dimesse, 8
40. Via Dimesse, 25
41. Vicolo dell'Osservatorio, 5
42. Via Torresino, 4 (Saturday only, reduced hours: 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM)
43. Via Rogati, 17 (Saturday only)
44. Via Carlo Dottori, 3 (Sunday only)
45. Vicolo Conti, 14 (Saturday only)
46. Via Marsala, 59 (Saturday morning and Sunday)
47. Riviera Tito Livio, 7 bis
48. Riviera Tito Livio, 9 (Saturday afternoon and Sunday)
49. Via Umberto I, 82

Anime Verdi – Special Events

Saturday, May 16

• Giardini della Rotonda – Viale della Rotonda | 9:30 AM

Behind the Gates – A symbolic opening of the festival with a guided tour led by the municipal gardening team of Padua.

• Department of Statistical Sciences – Via Cesare Battisti, 241 | 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM

Sept Papillons – Cello performance by Emilio Gonella.

• Department of Historical and Geographic Sciences and the Ancient World – Via del Vescovado, 30

Anthologies. Stories of plants, flowers and water – A series of activities curated by students and researchers in collaboration with the History Library.

• The Marchioness’ Rose Garden – Guided tours at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM, and 6:00 PM
• Podcast Corner – Listening station featuring Fluere, Mobility Studies Podcast, and Teatro del Mondo (3:00–6:00 PM)
• At the Roots of Words – A talk on botanical language and book history (4:00 PM)
• Parco Treves – Via Bartolomeo D’Alviano | 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM

Seeds of Memory: What We Leave Behind – A guided group experience immersed in nature, reflecting on life, memory, and personal legacy, led by Anna Di Toma and Ilaria Belometti.

• Istituto Barbarigo – Via Rogati, 17 | 11:30 AM and 3:15 PM

Tell Me a Garden – Storytelling session by Silvia Gualtieri.

• Chiostro del Generale – Piazza del Santo, 11 | 4:00 PM

Enchanted Garden – Choral performance by Nova Symphonia Patavina.

• Roseto di Santa Giustina – Via Michele Sanmicheli, 65 | 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM

Treasures of the Rose Garden – An introduction to the history of roses and a presentation of selected varieties, curated by C.O.S.E. IN COMUNA.

• Settore Servizi Scolastici – Via Raggio di Sole, 2 | 4:30 PM

Botanical Collage – Creative workshop led by Perla Puggina.

• Liceo Duca D’Aosta – Via del Santo, 57 | 5:00 PM

Bug Hotel: A Home for Urban Pollinators – Hands-on workshop to build insect shelters with Anna Vacilotto.

• Giardini della Rotonda – Viale della Rotonda | 5:30 PM

Isabella. A Green Voice on Stage – A theatrical performance by Caterina Dalla Zuanna and Annamaria Ceccarelli.

Sunday, May 17

• Parco Treves – Via Bartolomeo D’Alviano | 9:00 AM

Nature in Shape – Outdoor fitness session with instructor Eleonora Bortolamei.

• Parco Treves – Via Bartolomeo D’Alviano | 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Gardens of Disarmament – A themed pathway curated by the Laudato Si’ Circle and university programs in Environmental Sustainability and Professional Education.

• Department of Historical and Geographic Sciences and the Ancient World – Via del Vescovado, 30

Anthologies. Stories of plants, flowers and water – A series of activities curated by students and researchers in collaboration with the History Library.

• The Marchioness’ Rose Garden – Guided tours at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:00 AM, 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM
• Blurring Boundaries – Literary reading at 4:00 PM
• Parco Città dei Bambini – Via Sant’Eufemia | 10:15 AM

Small Steps into Circus Arts – A juggling workshop for children, organized by Cometa Circus.

• Roseto di Santa Giustina – Via Michele Sanmicheli, 65 | 10:15 AM and 11:15 AM

Treasures of the Rose Garden – Introduction to rose history and key varieties.

• Settore Servizi Scolastici – Via Raggio di Sole, 2 | 11:00 AM

Botanical Collage – Workshop led by Perla Puggina.

• Roseto di Santa Giustina – Via Michele Sanmicheli, 65 | from 3:00 PM

ART | + events + experiences + summer – Opening event curated by Glamour.

• Parco Treves – Via Bartolomeo D’Alviano | 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM

Seeds of Memory: What We Leave Behind – A guided group experience immersed in nature, reflecting on life, memory, and personal legacy, led by Anna Di Toma and Ilaria Belometti.

• Giardini della Rotonda – Viale della Rotonda | 4:00 PM

Isabella. A Green Voice on Stage – A theatrical performance by Caterina Dalla Zuanna and Annamaria Ceccarelli.

• Liceo Duca D’Aosta – Via del Santo, 57 | 5:00 PM

Bug Hotel: A Home for Urban Pollinators – Hands-on workshop to build insect shelters with Anna Vacilotto.

• Piazza delle Erbe | 7:15 PM

Medulla Ligni – Closing performance by RUPA Dance, featuring Anime Verdi volunteers.

Schools in the Garden

Schools in Padua taking part in the festival by opening their gardens present a program of activities developed within their educational projects, bringing to Anime Verdi a vibrant display of beauty, talent, and creativity.

Liceo Classico Tito Livio

Riviera Tito Livio, 9

Saturday and Sunday

• Exhibition of works from the school’s Drawing Workshop
• Guided tour of the Physics Instruments Museum – 3:30 PM

Saturday

• Guided tours of the Cloister – from 2:45 PM to 6:30 PM
• Theatre performance by the Modern Theatre Workshop, inspired by Medea – 4:00 PM

Sunday

• Guided tours of the Cloister – from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM and from 2:45 PM to 6:30 PM
• Poetry performance Green Voices: texts from Metamorphoses by Ovid – 4:00 PM

Collegio Dimesse

Casa Pagani – Via Dimesse, 8

Saturday and Sunday

• Guided tours led by the young guides of the primary school
• Drawing exhibition: The Garden of Casa Pagani through the eyes of fifth-grade children

Sunday

• Classical guitar performance by Sebastiano Nalin – 11:00 AM

Istituto Maria Ausiliatrice

Riviera San Benedetto, 90

Sunday

• Welcome activities led by third-year students, featuring animation inspired by the theme St. Francis Lives and the figure of Saint Clare of Assisi, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis
• Opening of the Chapel (former stable) for those who wish to pause for personal prayer

Liceo Duca D’Aosta

Via del Santo, 57

Saturday and Sunday

• Welcome and guided visits of the garden, presenting the project The Garden through an Artistic and Sensory Journey

Saturday

• Exhibition of paintings, drawings, and photographs created by students
• Musical and vocal interludes performed by students – 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 4:00 PM

Sunday

• DuDa Tour: guided visit on the theme Art and Nature in Contemporary Art, exploring the school’s artworks – 10:00–11:00 AM and 11:15 AM–12:15 PM

Information and Booking for Events and Additional Activities

Participation in events is free of charge. Booking is required and can be made via the link available on the website www.animeverdi.it. For activities not specifically indicated, booking is not required.

• Treasures of the Rose Garden

An introduction to the history of the rose, along with a presentation of some of the most significant varieties found in the Roseto di Santa Giustina.

• Nature in Shape

A toning fitness class led by instructor Eleonora Bortolamei. The session lasts approximately 40 minutes; participants are asked to bring their own mat. Exercises are bodyweight-based and suitable for all levels.

• Botanical Collage

A collage workshop led by Perla Puggina. During the session, participants will create a unique composition using paper cut-outs and natural elements.

• Seeds of Memory: What We Leave Behind

A workshop inspired by the principles of Death Education and Dignity Therapy. The session offers a space to transform thoughts and emotions into words, images, and symbols, contributing to the creation of a collective artwork that evolves throughout the festival.

• Bug Hotel: A Home for Urban Pollinators

A hands-on workshop to build shelters for pollinating insects. Participants will create a small bug hotel using natural materials, contributing to the protection of urban biodiversity.

• Small Steps into Circus Arts

A juggling workshop designed to explore movement, play, and interaction with objects. Balls, scarves, clubs, and hula hoops become tools for experimenting with throws, exchanges, and new forms of expression.

• Medulla Ligni

A site-specific performance by RUPA Dance featuring Anime Verdi volunteers.

Original music by the Pollini Electroacoustic Ensemble, coordinated by Julian Scordato, along with contributions from other composers. Conceived and created by Elisabetta Cortella, Medulla Ligni—literally “the marrow of wood”—explores the deep connection between the human body and nature. Through movement, it invites the audience to perceive the flow, fragility, and harmony that poetically unite all living forms.

A sustainable, accessible, intergenerational and family-friendly festival

Anime Verdi aims to be an opportunity for community experimentation and development through:

• attention to children, with free admission under 15, a personalized wristband, and a passport to collect stamps from all gardens (20 stamps = eco gadget);
• attention to younger generations, with reduced tickets under 25 and the active involvement of over 100 volunteers;
• attention to accessibility, with an audio guide created by volunteers, available on Spotify and via QR codes;
• attention to the environment, with certified paper materials, 100% recycled plastic wristbands, promotion of public water use, and ISO 14001 environmental certification;

attention to community, landscape, and social networks, promoting participatory events and collaboration with key cultural and social actors of Padua. At each garden entrance, a “Postcards from the Festival” mailbox is available to share thoughts about the visit experience.

Info & Social Media

• Website: www.animeverdi.it
• Email: info@animeverdi.it
• Facebook & Instagram: @animeverdi
• Hashtag: #animeverdi26