Villa Comunale (Municipal Villa), Salerno

The Municipal Villa, often referred to as the city's "garden", is a captivating botanical haven that originated in 1870, adorned with rare plant specimens and preserving the serene ambiance of the post-Risorgimento era. The current layout of the Villa took shape in 1874 based on a design by architect Casalbore. The transformation introduced flowerbeds, winding paths, plantings, statues, and fountains.

Within its grounds stands the renowned Aesculapius Fountain, affectionately known as "Don Tullio", named after the generous Salerno resident who donated it in 1790. To reach the fountain, enter the villa through the entrance on Lungomare Trieste Street and follow the first path to the right.

Over time, the Villa has been enriched with monuments. In 1890, a statue by Alfonso Balzico was unveiled in honor of Giovanni Nicotera, Minister of the Interior in the Agostino Depretis government of 1876. To find it, walk straight ahead from the road near the entrance. Although the original sculpture was lost during World War I, a new version by Corrado Patroni was installed in the 1960s, depicting Nicotera defiantly tearing up his own death sentence.

Another highlight in the villa is the bronze statue of Giovanni Cuomo, an Italian politician and public figure. You will encounter it as you continue walking east from the Aesculapius Fountain, standing directly in front of the Prefecture of Salerno, housed in the Government Palace. Walking north, you reach the Monument to Carlos Pisacane, an Italian patriot, revolutionary, and thinker, located at the end of the right wing of the of the Prefecture building.

Each April, the Villa hosts the Minerva Exhibition, a well-known market-exhibition dedicated to rare plants and botanical varieties, attracting visitors from across the region. In winter, the garden transforms into the Enchanted Garden, illuminated by the installations of the Artist Lights.