L’Orto Rampante
The Orto Rampante (“Climbing Garden”) is named in homage to Il Barone Rampante (The Baron in the Trees) by Italo Calvino, who once met with painter Carlo Levi on these very terraces. This project, set on the hills of Alassio overlooking the sea, aims to enhance and expand the tourist complex of Villa della Pergola and its gardens..
The project seeks to establish a farm with agritourism activities, reclaiming the land around Villa Levi—a vast green area left abandoned for years. In addition to restoring existing trees and revitalizing the agricultural terraces, the initiative will create a new tourist and cultural destination, carefully integrated into the natural Mediterranean landscape. It will also connect with the rare plants and exotic flora of the existing park. The goal is to make these terraces accessible to visitors while introducing three new greenhouses featuring dining spaces, agritourism accommodations, farm production, and a variety of experimental, educational, and cultural activities.
The lowest greenhouse will be dedicated to educational programs focused on local plant culture and the preservation of horticultural and fruit species native to the Ligurian coastal terraces. It will host school courses, giving visitors hands-on experience working with plants and the local terrain.
The central greenhouse will serve as a cultural venue celebrating the memory of Carlo Levi and will also house a restaurant. This restaurant will be integrated into a functioning greenhouse, where fresh, locally grown produce will be used to prepare zero-kilometer dishes in accordance with the Slow Food philosophy.
The uppermost greenhouse will feature four guest rooms, each with a private garden, offering guests a tranquil outdoor space to relax and immerse themselves in the serene surroundings.
Project Details
Status
Client
undisclosed
Design
Renzo Piano Building Workshop, architects
Design Team
E.Baglietto (partner in charge)
