From 29 March to 1 May 2025, the Pralormo Castle, in the province of Turin, will host the XXV edition of “Messer Tulipano”. Over 130 thousand tulips will transform the park into a botanical and historical masterpiece
A journey through time: the history of “Messer Tulipano” and his Dutch “fever”
The 2025 edition of Messer Tulipano will explore the origins and evolution of one of the most iconic and symbolic flowers in the world. From the remote lands of Centrale Asia, where he grew spontaneously in meadows and forests, the tulip came to Europe through the commercial routes of the Ottoman Empire, finding in the 17th century Dutch culture the perfect land to become a symbol of prestige and a true It is precisely the object of worship.
In the Netherlands, in fact, an unprecedented obsession developed for these flowers, so much so as to unleash an economic phenomenon destined to go down in history with the name of Tulip Mania. During the period between 1634 and 1637, the growing demand and rarity of some varieties brought the prices of bulbs to extraordinary levels.
Some specimens, such as the legendary Semper Augustus, were so rare and appreciated for their unique streaks that they reached a value equal to that of an entire house on the Amsterdam channel. The market, supported more by speculation than from the actual question, swelled dramatically until they suddenly collapse, leaving thousands of ruined investors.
This episode, considered the first great speculative bubble of history, is still studied as a paradigmatic example of the financial mechanisms that lead to the collapse of a market. Although the tulip mania ended with a crisis, the charm of these flowers has never passed away and their link with the Netherlands has remained deeply rooted, so much so that today the tulips represent one of the major tourist attractions of the country, with millions of visitors who go every year in the famous Keukenhof gardens of Lisse (about 40 km south-west of Amsterdam).
A fascinating story: Messer Tulipano
In Piedmont, within the suggestive Orangerie del Pralormo Castlevisitors will be able to immerse themselves in a fascinating story that intertwines science, botany and history through vintage documents, illustrations and anecdotes dedicated to Nicolaes Pietersz Tulpfamous Dutch doctor and anatomist.
This character became famous for his contribution to science and for the famous painting by Rembrandt, “Dr. Tulp’s anatomy lesson”. However, his link with the botanical world is equally significant: the surname (which means Tulip in Dutch) was chosen by himself, in an era in which this flower had become a symbol of luxury and prestige in the Netherlands.
The love for this flower was not limited only to the economic and social aspect: the doctor showed great interest in botany. Specifically, he contributed to the spread of the scientific knowledge of exotic specimens. In any case, its link with the tulip was so profound as to leave an indelible mark in history, so much so that its name is now associated not only with medicine, but also to the flower that transformed the 17th century Dutch economy and culture . But let’s go back to the event.
A botanical masterpiece between history and innovation
Among the most fascinating species, you can admire the specimens in Fior di Giglio, with an elegant and slender line, with pointed petals reminiscent of the silhouette of the flower dear to Sant Antonio and the Viridiflora, characterized by extraordinary shades of green that seem to be prolonged along the petals , creating a refined and suggestive chromatic effect.
Next to these rarities, scenographic and spectacular specimens will find space, such as Parroquet, whose jagged and ruffled petals give an exotic and dynamic aspect to the corolla, and the Frills, whose finely thinly ends give flowering a timeless elegance. Furthermore, some varieties will present a progressive chromatic metamorphosis, transforming themselves day after day into a fascinating game of nuances that will make each visit unique.
Botanical enchantment will not be limited to these rarities. An entire area of the park will be dedicated to the timeless beauty of the narcissimi, flowers with a delicate simplicity that with their white and bright yellow will enrich the natural palette of the scenography. Going along the paths, visitors will also find themselves in the face of a suggestive “river” of Blue Muscari, an optical illusion capable of evoking the movement of the waters and creating a harmonious chromatic contrast with the surrounding blooms.
The perfect fusion between architecture and nature
The 2025 edition of Messer Tulipano will be an extraordinary journey between nature, history and culture, where the magnificence of blooms is intertwined with the architecture and historical landscape of the Pralormo Castle. The park, designed in the 19th century by the court architect Xavier Kurten, is a refined example of an English romantic garden, designed to blend natural harmony with the elegance of human design.
Its soft lines and sinuous paths guide visitors through enchanting views, where the vegetation unfolds with an apparent spontaneity studied in detail. Kurten, known for having made some of the most important parks of the Sabaude residences, conceived a landscape in which each element – from secular trees to spontaneous blooms – was perfectly integrated, avoiding rigid patterns and forced symmetries.
Messer Tulipano: an experience between nature and culture
The event is not limited to celebrating extraordinary floral beauty, but offers a profound immersion in history and traditions of the place. Inside the historic Serra Lefevre, built at the end of the nineteenth century and arrived from France, it will be possible to admire a collection of rare orchids, while in the adjacent garden the suggestive Queen of the Night, the black tulip with an enigmatic aura, surrounded by stories will find space, and legendary symbolisms.
For younger visitors, the “Viale degli Birdi” will represent a unique opportunity to get to know the avian species that populate the park. An interactive path will illustrate their habitat, the eating habits and the variety of their nests. A corner dedicated to reading will welcome ancient illustrated fairy tales, taken from the precious volumes of the Castle Library, which preserves texts dating back to the fifteenth century and a rich collection of books for the nineteenth century. But it doesn’t end there.
Relax, flavors and shopping between flowers
In the area dedicated to the excellence of the territory, visitors will be able to discover and buy local products, from artisan jams to doc wines, from natural cosmetics to local production fabrics.
Those who wish to allow themselves a moment of relaxation can take advantage of the numerous picnic areas surrounded by greenery or taste typical dishes in the restaurant set up for the occasion. Four -legged friends will be welcome, with dedicated areas and a real dog bar to refresh themselves during the walk.
The event also stands out for its social commitment. In fact, every year it hosts associations operating in the field of environmental sustainability and solidarity. An opportunity to raise awareness of highly topical issues and to give visibility to charity initiatives.
A manor to discover
In addition to the flowery gardens, the Pralormo Castle, an elegant manor immersed in the Piedmontese countryside, offers visitors the opportunity to cross the time threshold and explore its internal environments.
Here, the past merges with the present in an intact and suggestive atmosphere.
Through two fascinating itineraries, guests will be able to go into the rooms that have kept the daily life of nobility and their families for centuries. In this way they will be able to discover not only the charm of period furnishings, but also stories, curiosities and secrets of a distant era.
A journey into the life of an ancient home
The first stage starts from the ancient cellars, underground environments where wine barrels, food stocks and essential oils were kept, indispensable to guarantee the self -sufficiency of the home. The ceiling sometimes, the penumbra that envelops the wooden shelves and the scent of ancient woods and spices transport the visitor to an era in which the rhythm of life was marked by the seasons and needs of the noble family.
From the cellars, continue towards the historical kitchens, where you can still perceive the echo of the feverish activities that animated this space. The large fireplaces, blackened by the fire that for centuries has warmed and cooked dishes processed, dominate the scene, while copper tools, heavy cast iron pots and long work tables tell of sumptuous banquets and ancient recipes handed down from generation to generation. The contrast between the simplicity of these environments and the opulence of the salons of honor, where the nobility received illustrious guests, is one of the most fascinating traits of the route.
In the salons, the walls covered with precious tapestries and boiseries (decorative wooden coatings), the frescoed ceilings and large crystal chandeliers recall the glories of an era in which the castle was a center of social and political life. Here, ladies in sumptuous clothes and elegant knights gathered for evenings of music, dances and conversations, while the large windows offered a breathtaking view of the gardens.
Curiosity has it that, according to some stories handed down over time, secret encounters between nobles and intellectuals of the time have occurred in the oldest rooms of the manor, some of which are linked to mysterious companies or the resistance against foreign dominations. Legends speak of hidden passages behind carved bookcases, once used as escape routes or as direct connections with cellars and stables.
The Trenino del Conte: a miniature jewel
The second itinerary of the castle is dedicated to a unique wonder: the Trenino del Conte, a miniature railway system that crosses entire manor rooms. This extraordinary model, made with incredible appraisal, occupies three rooms and is set in a meticulously recreated landscape, with galleries dug in the walls, suspended bridges and landscapes painted on the walls.
The collection of 1:43 scale trains, fully functional, represents a real masterpiece of artisan engineering and tells the passion of the noble family for the technological progress of the time. The route crosses evocative scenarios, from rural villages to stations animated by tiny characters, giving life to a miniature universe that surprises for its attention to detail.
In short, each element has been designed with the aim of creating an immersive and fascinating experience, capable of evoking enthusiasm for the great inventions of the nineteenth century, when the train revolutionized transport and the way of life. Today this extraordinary attraction allows visitors to return children for a few moments, admiring the harmonious movement of the convoys along the tracks and letting themselves be carried away by the magic of the miniature railway.