> Orto dell’Arte

The museum extends beyond the walls of the Ventimiglia Castle. Just outside, in a green space adjacent to the medieval manor, lies The Orto dell'Arte: a lush garden of Mediterranean herbs which, since 2020, has been an integral part of the museum experience.

From an abandoned space to a living place

The Orto dell'Arte stems from an idea by APS Il Cinghiale e la Balena, an association of professional artists who love Castelbuono, its surroundings and the relationship between art and nature. An unused area adjacent to the Ventimiglia Castle has been reclaimed and transformed into an extension of the museum: an open, participatory space that is constantly evolving.

From the very beginning, the project has actively involved the local community, with the participation of the CTA Fauni di Castelbuono and numerous educational and cultural initiatives. It has hosted a book exchange hut, workshops for children and adults, and small events in contact with nature.

A garden that grows

Today, The Orto dell’Arte is a lush garden of Mediterranean aromatic herbs and a constantly evolving natural laboratory. Since 2025, it has been home to an experimental cultivation of wild tomato varieties, a project by the artistic duo Aterraterra, realised in collaboration with the museum: a unique dialogue between contemporary art, biodiversity and the local area.

The museum beyond the museum

The Orto dell'Arte embodies a clear vision: that of a museum stepping out of its own halls to become part of the community. A space where education, care for the environment and collective participation become artistic languages in their own right — accessible to all, rooted in the local area.