Now in its fourth edition, Herbarium, an event dedicated to medicinal plants and their many past and present uses among popular beliefs, tradition and science, returns to the Monastery of Torba!

A theme very much in keeping with the history of the place and the activities linked to the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic herbs that have taken place at the Monastery for centuries and that, during the event, will be told to the public through various activities for both adults and families: excursions, in-depth studies, picnics and workshops, and artistic workshops.
On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May, exhibitors from Varese and Lombardy, Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta and even southern Italy will be present.

During the weekend, at the Monastery Restaurant, visitors will have the opportunity to choose between a wild picnic or a themed menu celebrating local herbs and products. In addition, they will be able to taste Matteo Rubino's Amaro Rubino, the first artisanal liqueur made from internationally certified organic pre-alpine herbs, and Alessandro Cammisano's Campo dei Fiori London dry gin, an artisanal gin produced entirely in the province of Varese with local botanicals and distilled following the London dry tradition.

PROGRAMM

SATURDAY 18 MAY

• 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. guided hike in the Olona Valley (discovery of flora and fauna)
• 11 a.m., 12 noon, 2.30 p.m., 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. guided tours of the Monastery by Archeologistics
• 11.30 am: lecture on the health and well-being of the garden in myth, by Fabio Bortes
• 2.30 p.m.: conference The garden in the dish: the main spontaneous herbs, their uses in cooking and in popular traditions by Fabio Bortesi 
• 3 p.m.: workshop in the herbalist's shop - for children aged 6 to 9
• 4 p.m.: workshop for adults to create an Herbarium, organised by Antea Franceschin

 
SUNDAY 19 MAY

• 10.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.: Botanical walk, organised by Antea Franceschin
• 10.30 am: conference The secrets of women's monasteries: wild women between healing, food and magic, by Eleonora Matarrese
• 11 am, 12 noon, 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm: guided tours of the monastery by Archeologistics
• 12.30 and 13.30: wild picnic in the meadow of the Monastery organised by Eleonora Matarrese
• 3 p.m.: Natural alphabets in the kitchen workshop for children aged 6 to 10
• 3.30 pm: Discovering the biodiversity of the Monastery of Torba, guided tour by Daniele Meregalli

•  Admission + market exhibition: full price €11; FAI members, reduced price Castelseprio Municipality residents, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia (Lombardy Museums season ticket agreement) and disabled persons €3; reduced price 6-18 years old and students 19-25 years old €7; family (2 adults and children 6-18 years old) €30; children up to 5 years old free of charge
   
•  Admission + market exhibition + guided tour: full price €18; FAI members, reduced price Castelseprio Municipality residents, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia (Lombardy Museums Season Ticket agreement) and disabled people €10; reduced price 6-18 years old and students 19-25 years old €14; family (2 adults and children 6-18 years old) €44; children up to 5 years old free of charge 
   
•  Admission + market exhibition + excursion in Valle Olona: full price €18; FAI members, reduced price residents Municipality of Castelseprio, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia (Lombardy Museums Season Ticket agreement) and disabled people €10; reduced price 6-18 years old and students 19-25 years old €14.
   
•  Admission + market exhibition + workshop for children: FAI members €10; concessions 6-18 years old €14. 
   
•  Admission + market exhibition + Erbari workshop: full price €18; FAI members, concessions Castelseprio Municipality residents, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia (Lombardy Museums season ticket agreement) and disabled visitors €10; students aged 19-25 €14. 

•  Admission + market exhibition + botanical walk for families: full price €18; FAI members, reduced price Castelseprio Municipality residents, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia (Lombardy Museums season ticket agreement) and disabled persons €10; reduced price 6-18 years old €14; family (2 adults and children 6-18 years old) €44. 
   
•  Admission + market exhibition + biodiversity visit: full price €18; FAI members, concessions Castelseprio Municipality residents, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia (Lombardy Region Museums Subscription Agreement) and disabled people €10; concessions 6-18 years and students 19-25 years €14; family (2 adults and children 6-18 years) €44; children up to 5 years free
   
•  Admission wild picnic + exhibition market: full price €11; FAI members, reduced price residents Municipality of Castelseprio, Abbonamento Musei Lombardia agreement and people with disabilities €3; reduced price 6-18 years old and students 19-25 years old €7; family (2 adults and children 6-18 years old) €30; children up to 5 years old free of charge 
   

The picnic basket is not included in the ticket

For more information: faitorba@fondoambiente.it