Palazzo di Varignana

Attend the Concorso d’Eleganza Varignana 1705, a prestigious classic car event set in the rolling hills of Motor Valley near Palazzo di Varignana. This experience brings together a curated selection of rare and fascinating automobiles from across Europe, drawing collectors and enthusiasts for a weekend devoted to automotive heritage.

Over the course of the event, 37 vintage vehicles are presented and judged by an international panel, offering a chance to appreciate design, engineering and the cultural legacy of classic motoring. Against a backdrop of Italian countryside, the event blends automotive passion with local lifestyle and culture, making it a distinctive moment for anyone who loves cars and craftsmanship.

Discover an eclectic private art collection at Palazzo di Varignana, shaped by works gathered across different periods and geographies. The experience centres on Palazzo Bentivoglio’s Wunderkammer, a carefully curated room that brings together rare objects, archaeological finds and artistic pieces that invite curiosity rather than chronology.

A key highlight is the Claterna mosaic, on loan from the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna, displayed for its craftsmanship and visual impact. Created with finely cut stone in subtle tones, the mosaic offers insight into ancient design and technique without overwhelming the space. Moving through the collection reveals how art, history and personal vision intersect within the estate, making this a reflective cultural stop rather than a conventional gallery visit.

Explore the ornamental gardens at Palazzo di Varignana, where landscape design and natural form are carefully balanced across three hectares. Designed by Antonio Perazzi, this experience unfolds through terraces, stone walls, fountains and open lawns that move fluidly between formal structure and countryside character.

Walk through geometric garden rooms edged with ginkgo, hornbeam and maple before reaching one of Italy’s most significant oak collections, featuring over 70 species. The route continues beneath pergolas of ornamental apple trees and roses, leading to the Labirinto Carlico, a plant labyrinth woven into an existing orchard. Moving through the gardens reveals how contemporary landscape design can feel grounded, generous and deeply connected to place.