Giusti Garden Palace

Giusti Garden Palace, located in the Veronetta district of Verona, is an authentic masterpiece of Italian Renaissance, known not only for its architecture, but also for the magnificent Italian gardens that surround it. The Giusti family, originally from Tuscany, moved to Verona in the 13th century and in 1406 acquired the area where the palace and garden now stand. The palace, built in the second half of the 16th century, represents an example of Mannerist architecture, characterized by an elegant facade with sober decorations. Inside, the main floor is divided into two large apartments, with a central hall used for receptions. The Aurora Room, frescoed by Francesco Lorenzi in 1766, is one of the jewels of the palace, with its ceiling depicting the “Triumph of Aurora”, restored after damage suffered during World War II.The garden is the true heart of the complex, a perfect example of an Italian garden, designed to enhance the beauty of nature through careful geometric organization of spaces. Agostino Giusti, a cultured man passionate about botany, created this garden in the late 16th century. The garden is developed on various terraced levels, with paths leading to artificial grottoes, fountains, and classical statues. The path culminates in a belvedere with a mask attributed to Bartolomeo Ridolfi, designed to emit tongues of fire and smoke, impressing the visitors of the time.One of the most striking features of the garden is the hedge maze, redesigned by Luigi Trezza in 1786 and still passable today. This maze, along with numerous mythological statues and French parterres, creates an enchanted environment, perfect for romantic walks and moments of contemplation. The garden also houses the famous Goethe Cypress, admired by the German poet during his trip to Italy in 1786, although unfortunately it was knocked down by a hurricane in 2020.Over the centuries, Palazzo Giusti has been an important cultural and social center. The courtyard, surrounded by swallow-tailed merlon walls, hosted theatrical performances and concerts by the Philharmonic Academy. In 1581, the first performance of Torquato Tasso’s pastoral fable “Aminta” was staged there, an event that highlights the importance of the palace as a meeting place for the Veronese cultural elite.The Giusti family has always had a deep interest in art and antiquity, collecting Roman epigraphs and archaeological fragments that are still visible in the garden. This love for culture has transformed the palace and garden into a true open-air museum, where history and nature harmoniously blend.During World War II, the palace was severely damaged by bombings, but was later restored. Since 1954, thanks to the commitment of Alberto and Mary Farina, who leased it for life from the Giusti family, the palace was brought back to its ancient splendor. Today, the complex is still owned by the Giusti family, who continue to care for and enhance this extraordinary heritage.