By Claudia Cencini
Lorenzo and Federica have brought a dream to life: the Giardino di San Brizio, a little slice of paradise just outside Spoleto, open to the public from mid-May through late September. It offers peace, beauty, and magic in a riot of scents and colors… and it’s free. What are you waiting for? Come discover it for yourself!
Bennato sings “Neverland,” but we believe that islands exist even without the sea—places that inspire dreams and bring joy to those who visit them. You just have to look for them. One of these, bathed in the purple of lavender and the colors of other flowers and medicinal plants grown naturally, is the Giardino di San Brizio, conceived and created by Lorenzo Muzzi and his wife Federica Mosca—he a courier, she a psychologist—united by a passion for beauty and that touch of madness typical of those who pursue their ideals. Who said dreams don’t come true? Lorenzo and Federica have managed to create their own little Eden, which they now more than ever want to share with anyone who wishes to visit.
“The love that moves the sun and the other stars…”
Dante was absolutely right: love is the driving force behind everything. And it is the love between Lorenzo and Federica that has materialized into an idea resembling a fairy tale, where you can immerse yourself with the emotion and innocence of Alice in Wonderland to discover a place that few know of, but which exists and awaits you, ready to welcome you for a rejuvenating stroll or a selfie to post on social media, in a riot of color that evokes the symbolism of the rainbow. In this fairy-tale setting, which lets you escape reality, Lorenzo and Federica are ready to welcome with open arms anyone who wants to experience firsthand the charm of this magical place, through a path introduced by an arch covered in little yellow roses that leads to a trail lined with picket fences for a full immersion in a palette of color nuances that delight the eye and the sense of smell.
In the beginning, a small patch of land
A young project, though not so young when you consider that our two “lovebirds” have been nurturing this idea—somewhere between a dream and wellness—for nearly ten years. “It all started as a bit of fun,” Lorenzo reveals. “Federica and I have been together since 2016; we got married in 2019, and it was on that occasion that we made our first lavender wedding favors. That’s how this project was born, and today it’s growing and making us happy.” But this young couple’s aspiration goes beyond personal fulfillment; they want to “share” the happiness they’ve found in this little corner of the world with everyone by opening the doors to their garden. Let’s step into their world to be enchanted and immersed in a unique atmosphere that’s good for both body and soul. A world to discover and share, to take a break from stress and realize that you don’t need to go to the Maldives to recharge; a stroll just a stone’s throw from the city of the Festival and Don Matteo is enough. It’s good for the body and the soul. To better understand the garden’s origins (“don’t call it a lavender field—they insist”), we must start with the family land: “My father has been tending a small 30-meter vegetable patch behind the house for years,” says Lorenzo. “The other 70 meters were neglected, so at first we used about twenty of them to plant 50 lavender plants, then gradually expanded by cultivating the remaining 50 meters of land, and today our garden boasts 750 lavender plants, which coexist with other botanical and floral species, such as lilacs, wisteria, butterfly plants, and much more, in a blend of red berries, raspberries, and strawberries. Along the way, you can also stop under the natural shade of the family’s olive trees, which invite you to take a siesta or have a picnic.
Unique Gift Ideas
The raw materials for scented sachets and essential oils come straight from the garden. To sell these handmade products, Lorenzo obtained a hobbyist’s license, but the beginning wasn’t all roses and sunshine, to stay on theme: “My father, an old-school man, told me, ‘What are you doing with lavender? It won’t make you any money anyway.’” I rolled up my sleeves and started going to flea markets to sell sachets filled with dried lavender seeds to scent laundry, the car, and the home, then I found a company in the Marche region that extracts lavender oil, and I started selling 10-ml bottles of essential oil for 10 euros each; I report the proceeds along with my other income.”
But be careful: not everyone knows that lavender oil should not be used undiluted on the skin, but must first be diluted in a carrier oil; otherwise, it can cause rashes and skin eruptions, some of which can be severe.
Why visit it
What draws visitors into the San Brizio Garden? First and foremost, the curiosity to discover, step by step, the surprising stops along this immersive, one-of-a-kind journey. Then there’s the desire to escape the smog and the pace of an increasingly suffocating daily life, to breathe in deeply the clean air and the intoxicating scent that emanates from the lavender and other flowers. Here, people of all ages can rediscover their inner child. Preschools have already experienced the benefits of a playful visit, but even those no longer in their twenties can reconnect with themselves, finding inner peace and harmony. Furthermore, the garden isn’t just open to humans; animals are also welcome, provided basic rules of civility and common sense are observed. To encourage visits, the owners have a series of events and initiatives planned from May through September, the period when the garden is open to the public. Lorenzo explains it better: “Our garden lends itself to hosting relaxation workshops, art therapy, and music therapy sessions.
We have already hosted art exhibitions and book presentations, but we would like to expand our offerings to include themed events that bring to life ancient traditions associated with celebrations such as the water of St. John or the Night of St. Lawrence. In addition, we are open to collaborating with professional photographers for photo shoots and modeling sessions, as well as with film and TV production companies that might find our garden an ideal setting for their sets.”
No Pesticides
“Although they require constant maintenance,” explains Federica, “the plants we’ve chosen to grow don’t need special attention; even watering is minimal since this is a dry garden. Of course, during the July heatwave, we have to water them to keep them from drying out, but otherwise, these are floral and botanical varieties that don’t require specific care.” In short, we are dealing with species that, in addition to being extremely decorative due to their shape and vibrant colors, thrive in symbiosis with the animal world.”
It is no coincidence that anyone entering this “unique” garden will find themselves surrounded by 100% natural flowers and botanical plants; here, no pesticides are used by choice of the area’s managers, who leave everything “natural” without harming any creature left free to thrive in the soil and air with chemical killers.
“Bees are vital to the health of the ecosystem,” they explain, “and now that they’re going through a tough time, they need to be protected more than ever—just like earthworms, which enrich the soil, and mosquitoes.” Federica knows a thing or two about this, acting as a lightning rod: “In a crowd, they only bite me.” A sacrifice rewarded by the magic of this colorful “bubble” that brings a sense of well-being to anyone who steps inside.
Opening Hours for the San Brizio Garden
The San Brizio Garden, open to the public from early Giune to late September, has the following opening hours:
Mon. – Fri.: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Sat. Sun.: 9:00 – 12:00 AM / 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Admission is free (donations welcome); reservations are appreciated to help us manage visits in groups of up to 30 people.