On Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, in Passariano di Codroipo, the XXII edition of the “Nel Giardino del Doge Manin” exhibition will take place: alongside the best of floriculture, there will be book presentations, guided tours, exhibitions, workshops for children and adults, and the introduction of a guest of excellence, wine.
In the largest historical park of Friuli Venezia Giulia, the garden of what was once one of the most important Venetian villas of the 18th century, “Nel Giardino del Doge Manin” will open its doors for the twenty-second time on Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22. This floral exhibition of plants and furnishings is promoted by ERPAC, the Regional Body for Cultural Heritage of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and coordinated by the Trieste social cooperative Agricola Monte San Pantaleone, an organization that for nearly fifty years has dealt with greenery maintenance and caring for people through nature. Thus, once again this year, Villa Manin will welcome another spring, “a new chance for rebirth,” to use the words of Albert Camus.
About eighty exhibitors selected by Lili Soldatich, coming from all over Italy but also from Austria and Slovenia, have confirmed their presence at the event: visitors will find aromatic and medicinal plants, acidophilic plants, cacti, carnivorous and succulent plants, unusual and decorative species, fruit trees, shade plants, and indoor plants. And then English roses, bougainvillea, flowers of every kind, ornaments, clothing, and food.
Proposal for childrenn
The secret garden - for children from six to ten years old
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 at 4:00 PM A creative workshop dedicated to building small worlds in boxes, transparent compositions, and evocative landscapes, born from the direct observation of the garden’s plants and flowers. The experience ideally intertwines with the frescoes of Villa Manin, where lush nature, imaginary architecture, and painted gardens expand real space into symbolic and narrative scenarios. Through the use of natural materials, transparent papers, and delicate strokes, the workshop stimulates imagination and manual skills in a close dialogue between nature, art, and architecture.
Curated by Arteventi
The workshop for children has limited availability and is free for children under 12 accompanied by a paying adult. Reservations are required via email at bookshop@villamanin.it or by calling 0432.821258. Meeting point at the bookshop by 3:30 PM. After this time, reservations for the activity will no longer be guaranteed.
Workshop for adults
Drawing Flowers – Artistic Workshop
Saturday 21 at 10:00 AM and Sunday 22 at 2:00 PM A life drawing workshop that invites participants to slowly observe flowers and plants, translating their shapes, colors, and details through the watercolor technique.
The images come to life on selected book pages, where contemporary marks dialogue with the memory of the paper, intertwining artistic practice, naturalistic observation, and suggestions linked to the history of the villa.
An immersive experience, aimed at an adult audience, that unites art and nature in a creative gesture suspended between study, storytelling, and experimentation.
Curated by Arteventi
Gemini ha detto Easter Nest – Floral Workshop
Saturday 21 at 2:00 PM
Creation of a plant nest made by hand-weaving natural branches to form an organic structure. Flexible branches and seasonal plant materials will be used to create a harmonious shape inspired by natural nests, designed to house live plants or floral arrangements. During the activity, weaving and modeling techniques will be demonstrated, allowing for the creation of a stable and personalized structure. The nest can be completed with botanical elements, wildflowers, or natural decorative details, transforming it into an original ornamental piece suitable for indoor or outdoor spaces. Curated by Fioribrì – Giulia Bristot
Spring Wreaths – Floral Workshop
Sunday 22 at 10:00
Activity led by professional florists dedicated to the creation of wreaths and floral arrangements. Exclusively seasonal materials will be used, starting with a base hand-woven from natural branches that will form the structure of the composition: olive branches combined with fresh flowers such as statice, daffodils, hellebores, and other seasonal blooms, along with wild branches, meadow herbs, and aromatic herbs. The decoration will be completed with decorative eggs and ribbons.
Curated by Plantina Flowers – Martina Copetti
The workshops for adults have limited availability. There is a participation fee of €5.00 per person per workshop, plus the €3.00 entry ticket to the event. Reservations are required via email at bookshop@villamanin.it or by calling 0432.821258. Meeting point and ticket purchase at the Villa Manin bookshop (East Barchessa) at least half an hour before the start of the workshop. After this time, your reservation for the activity will no longer be guaranteed.
Guided Tours
Landscape tour of the park
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 at 4:00 PM, led by Edi Miculan
A walking tour to discover the park of Villa Manin and its history.
Conversations with Nurserymen - curated by Lili Soldatich
Saturday 21 March
Succulent plants, getting to know them to care for them be
From 11 am at stand di Ermini Mangani
Ancient Roses in Chiasiellis
From 3pm at stand di Az. Agr. Il Rosificio
Citrus plants and bougainvillea, care and maintenance
From 4 pm at stand di Tamoflor
Sunday 22 March
Hydrangeas: pruning and fertilization
From 10:00 am at stand di Tara vivai
Kusamono: Spring Breath
From 11:00 am at stand Mariotti
Care and maintenance of a family organic orchard
from 3pm at stand di Soc. Agr. Vecio Pomer
Meetings with authors (stage in the park)
Saturday, March 21 4:30 PM,
stage in the park “Alla gentilezza di chi la raccoglie” by Raffaella Cargnelutti, Bottega Errante Edizioni, 2026
The author will be in conversation with journalist Emily Menguzzato
Sunday, March 22 11:00 AM,
stage in the park “I veleni del bosco. Storie di piante tossiche in Italia” by Valentina Borgia and Massimiliano Borgia, Innocenti Editore, 2025 The author will be in conversation with science communicator Agnese Baini
4:30 PM, stage in the park “Siria, il giorno dopo” by Asmae Dachan, add editore, 2026 The author will be in conversation with journalist Tommaso Nin
Tastings (first floor, West Barchessa)
Saturday, March 21
At 6:00 PM
The Wine Landscape in the First Regional Viticultural Map
A geo-oenological story accompanied by a tasting of 5 wines, from the Carso to the Colli Orientali
With winemaker Lorenzo Mocchiutti in conversation with Simonetta Lorigliola, journalist, author, and editor-in-chief of the Guida Veronelli
Sunday, March 22
At 6:00 PM
The “Resistant Grape Varieties” Bet
New grapes for greener vineyards. Story and tasting of 5 Italian PiWi wines
With winemaker and founder of the Rete Resistenti Nicola Biasi, and winemaker Dino De Marchi, in conversation with Simonetta Lorigliola, journalist, author, and editor-in-chief of the Guida Veronelli
The tastings require a fee and have limited availability. For information and reservations, please email eventi@agricolamontesanpantaleone.it
Info
Admission to the Nel giardino del Doge Manin event costs €3.00 per person (free for those under 16, people with disabilities, and their companions) and can be purchased at the ticket office located at the entrance of the East Barchessa.
Workshops dedicated to adults cost €5.00 per person per workshop, plus the €3.00 event admission ticket.
Reservations are required via email at bookshop@villamanin.it or by calling 0432.821258.
Meeting point and ticket purchase for the workshops is at the Villa Manin bookshop (East Barchessa) at least half an hour before the start of the workshop. After this time, your reservation for the activity will no longer be guaranteed.
The children’s workshop has limited availability and is free for children under 12 accompanied by an adult who has paid for the event admission ticket. Reservations are required via email at bookshop@villamanin.it or by calling 0432.821258.
Meeting point is at the bookshop by 3:30 PM. After this time, your reservation for the activity will no longer be guaranteed.
To access the offerings at Villa Manin, it is necessary to purchase a special reduced admission ticket for €5.00 for individuals over 12 years of age, available for purchase directly on-site.
Children under 12, one companion for a person with a disability, ICOM members, FVG Card holders, and journalists with a valid National Order card on duty are entitled to free admission to the villa.