It alternates with landscaped areas and offers the possibility of peaceful walking and wonderful city views within easy reach of the city center.
Open to the public in 1975 and managed by the Villa Ghigi Foundation since 2004, due to its diversity and natural nature, it represents a representative sample of the mountain landscape of Bologna, which allows it to capture very different aspects in a relatively limited space. In the middle of the park stands the villa, unfortunately abandoned and waiting for decades to restore a suitable destination. It is a typical residence on the noble hills and we have news starting from "600", even if the age of the building may be older. The villa and garden (which also houses some agricultural houses and a building called "Palazzino" which houses the Foundation), has a long history: later dating to the families of Malvezzi, Cavalca and Dozza, in 1874 they were purchased by the Ghigi family that remained the owner until 1972. Alessandro Gigi (1875-1970), animal and nature scientist in international fame and president of the University of Bologna from 1930 to 1943, throughout his life. At the end of the 1960s, Gigi donated part of the park to the municipality of Bologna. Upon his death, the heirs gave up the rest of the property.
The rich botanical heritage of the park includes authentic and remarkable tree species (such as soft oak, black trumpets, centuries-old Himalayan cedar, and yew tree specimens) and rows of old fruit trees and well-homogeneous natural beech trees This type of forest between 800 and 1700 meters).
In many cases, old varieties are no longer used today as an important genetically important heritage: plum, khaki, cherry, apple, fig, fig tree, Lazar, almonds. Some vineyards contribute according to subsistence lines in the meadows and cultivated areas. From a natural point of view, the whole garden is of great importance: during the spring, among the richest and most common flowers, you can encounter samples of daisies, daffodils and wild orchids.
The garden is not fenced and can only be walked on foot. A number of guest comfort areas have been created. Villa Ghigi provides maps and illustrative materials and periodically suggests indicative views on seasonal vegetation cycles.
