Collodi, Visit to the Pinocchio Park

Inaugurated in 1956, within a large green area near the characteristic village, this park was intended from the beginning to be not just a simple place of entertainment, but also a great collective work by artists with strong personalities. The charm of the visit route, scattered with mosaics, sculptures, and curious installations, comes from the perfect fusion of art and nature; its winding path and dense vegetation ensure that every stop is a surprise, absolutely unexpected. So, shortly after the entrance, there is the imposing Pinocchio and the Fairy, the 5-meter tall bronze sculpture by Emilio Greco, which summarizes the puppet’s journey and his transformation into a human being thanks to the Fairy’s blessings. Or, crouched among the dense foliage, a striking Talking Cricket by Pietro Consagra, with its legs raised in a warning gesture. Or, again, in the middle of a large green-bordered pool, a frightening Shark by Marco Zanuso, with a row of sharp teeth ready to swallow everything.
But art is not everything at Parco Collodi; cultural and recreational activities are held here continuously for most of the year. The entertainers from the Nasolungo group offer educational workshops diversified by age, including painting and decorating studios; storytelling and mini magic shows in the Fair Wagon; storytellers and puppet shows; costume photos in Pinocchio’s Atelier and much more. Under the holm oaks, in the relaxation areas, there are also beautiful vintage fairground rides, perfectly restored thanks to the work of skilled artisans. And in the Workshop of Words and Figures, visitors can immerse themselves in art exhibitions about Pinocchio and in endless games, sounds, and fantasies inspired by the charming puppet. If after so much playing, appetite calls, the only option is to sit down at the Osteria del Gambero Rosso, whose claws, represented by the restaurant’s red towers, are the work of Giovanni Michelucci.