ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Radicepura: A Botanical Garden and School in Sicily

architecture-design · 2026-04-27

Radicepura, an open-air museum-garden in Giarre, Sicily, doubles as a school for landscape architects and international professionals. Founded by the Faro family's Vivai Faro, it includes a biennial competition for artist gardens, a seed bank, and botanical education. The park features monumental Mediterranean 'mother plants' used for pathogen-free seed reproduction. The Radicepura Garden Festival brings global designers to create permanent installations, such as François Abélanet's 'Anamorphose', Antonio Perazzi's 'Home Ground', Andy Sturgeon's 'Layers', and Emilio Isgrò's 'Il sogno di Empedocle'. The site also served as a filming location for 'The Godfather'.

Key facts

  • Radicepura is located in Giarre, province of Catania, Sicily.
  • It is an open-air museum-garden and a school for young landscape architects.
  • The project is owned by Vivai Faro, founded by the Faro family from Acireale.
  • It includes a biennial competition for artist gardens.
  • The park has a seed bank with certified, pathogen-free seeds from 'mother plants'.
  • Radicepura Garden Festival features permanent installations by international designers.
  • Artists include François Abélanet, Antonio Perazzi, Andy Sturgeon, and Emilio Isgrò.
  • The site was used for a scene in Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather'.

Entities

Artists

  • François Abélanet
  • Antonio Perazzi
  • Andy Sturgeon
  • Emilio Isgrò
  • Claudia Zanfi

Institutions

  • Radicepura
  • Vivai Faro
  • Fondazione Radicepura
  • Radicepura Garden Festival
  • Artribune

Locations

  • Sicily
  • Giarre
  • Catania
  • Acireale
  • Mediterranean
  • Etna

Sources