16th-century college in Pavia opens contemporary sculpture park

The Almo Collegio Borromeo in Pavia has reopened its three-hectare park, the Horti, as a public sculpture garden blending contemporary art, nature, and social ethics. The park features works from the Fondazione Arnaldo Pomodoro's collection by Arnaldo Pomodoro, Nicola Carrino, Gianfranco Pardi, Luigi Mainolfi, Mauro Staccioli, and Salvatore Cuschera, alongside site-specific commissions by Ivan Tresoldi and David Tremlett. The park is divided into three thematic routes: Horti.Oasi (biodiversity), Horti.Arte (permanent mural and sculpture exhibition), and Horti.Etica (social inclusion and volunteer initiatives). Founded in 1561 by San Carlo Borromeo, the college is Italy's oldest merit-based institution, offering scholarships to deserving students. Rector Alberto Lolli stated the project aims to actively rebuild public space and promote sociality and ethical sense. Arnaldo Pomodoro emphasized the social duty of artists to engage with the public, noting his Triade sculpture found an ideal outdoor home. The park is free and open to the public.