Restoration Project
The garden
RESTORATION AND RECOVERY OF THE PIERSANTI MATTARELLA HISTORICAL PARK (FORMER ENGLISH GARDEN) AND THE FALCONE-MORVILLO PARTERRE (FORMER GARIBALDI GARDEN)– Palermo CUP D74J22000010006 CIG B3EED33CF6
The project foresees the regeneration and redevelopment of the historic park, the strengthening of the identity of the area, the improvement of the quality of the landscape, the quality of life and the psychophysical well-being of the citizens, and the creation of a new cultural and tourist centre and mode of enjoyment. In accordance with the NRRP directives, all the functions that have a direct and positive impact on the environment, such as the regulation of the microclimate and the protection of biodiversity, have been developed through targeted interventions, while respecting the value of the landscape and the existing ecological cycles. Educational activities have also been planned with the aim of raising awareness of the environment and the landscape among new generations, so that the historic park can be a resource for scientific, technical, botanical and environmental knowledge.
The original romantic layout of the English Garden, designed by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, has undergone several transformations over time.
The most important of these was the reclamation campaign carried out in the 1980s, which significantly altered the original configuration of the garden by introducing new materials that were different from those of the time, such as a layer of bituminous conglomerate (asphalt type), clinker paving on a bed of sand and porphyry blocks (sanpietrini). This adaptation to modern tastes had an important impact on the aesthetics of the garden and, above all, on the vegetation of the various species of trees.
In 2022, through the Proposal for the restoration and enhancement of historic parks and gardens, financed under the NRRP, (M1C3), Investment 2.3 “Programmes to Enhance the Identity of Places: Historic Parks and Gardens”, financed by the European Union – NextGenerationEU and managed by the Ministry of Culture, the restoration and recovery project began, coordinated by the landscape architect Loredana Tarallo of the Department of Green Areas and Urban Liveability, of the Municipality of Palermo, with the High Supervision of the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. The restoration and recovery project has been drawn up with the aim of promoting a functional adaptation of the site, respecting its physiognomy and spatiality, improving the safety and usability conditions of the garden, and respecting the vegetative apparatus of the species, by now, in distress. In line with the NRRP directives.
An adaptation with natural materials has been planned to guarantee a draining system of the soil, with the relative disposal of all those materials improperly found on site. A consequent reconfiguration of the persistent flowerbeds, to ensure appropriate space for the growth of the various species and spontaneous branching. The pruning and securing of Monumental Trees and Ficus. Use of a Cobra 2T polypropylene cable to prevent and monitor structural failure of parts of Ficus trees. Replacement of borders and insertion of lawn areas. There are also plans to increase the park’s biodiversity by creating diversified environments with the planting of native Mediterranean shrubs and the placement of artificial nests and bug hotels. In addition, there is a composting plant for the on-site disposal of plant residues, establishing a circular strategy in the management of plant systems. The intervention also included the conservative restoration of sculptural groups and architecture in the park.
Project manager and Construction manager: Landscape Arch. Loredana Tarallo
Project team:
Landscape Arch. Loredana Tarallo, Arch. Gianfranco Ciancimino, Ing. Margherita Di Lorenzo del Casale, Ing. Giacomo Filippone
Technical and scientific cooperation:
University of Palermo – SAAF Department:
Head Prof. Antonio Motisi, with Prof. Tommaso La Mantia, Prof. Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca, Prof. Manfredi Leone CDL – Landscape Architecture: Dr. Dario Pietro Benigno, Arch. Silvia di Mariano, Arch. Giorgia Gagliardo, Arch. Antonella Rosalia Russo
Operative Directors:
Arch. Gianfranco Ciancimino, Ing. Margherita Di Lorenzo del Casale, Ing. Giacomo Filippone
LMP (Lead Manager for the Project): Ing. Roberto Cairone
Staff of LMP: Dott. Doriana Marino
Superintendence for Cultural and Environmental Heritage of Palermo
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