The Papio College garden, the most important example of a Borromean garden preserved in Ticino, has more than four centuries of history, during which time its basic layout has remained virtually unchanged.
Because of its special characteristics, as well as its high cultural, symbolic and spiritual value, the Papio garden, which is more than just a green area and represents a valuable piece in the urban fabric of Ascona, is a cantonally protected property that deserves appropriate enhancement. A project along these lines has been promoted by the Amici del Papio Association under the impetus of its president Maurizio Checchi, deputy mayor of Ascona and head of the Department of Spatial Planning.
For this reason, the garden has recently been the subject of a historical survey, commissioned by the Cantonal Office for Cultural Heritage in anticipation of a redevelopment of the entire area.
A solid historical basis is indispensable for the operators called upon to prepare a redevelopment project - in the specific case, the architectural firm Giraudi Radczuweit of Lugano and Dionea SA of Locarno - so that, based on valuable and reliable information, they can develop a concept that respects history and at the same time is future-oriented, that is, without excluding innovative ideas and projects
Taken as a whole, the Papio garden is an element of considerable importance, both for the College and for Ascona, and by enhancing it properly, with precise and targeted redevelopment, it will be able to regain its rightful place in the urban fabric of the village and once again become one of the living rooms of the College.