Collodi, visita al Parco di Pinocchio

Inaugurated in 1956, within a large green area near the characteristic village, this park has aimed from the beginning not to be 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, curious installations, arises precisely from the perfect fusion between art and nature; its tortuous path and dense vegetation ensure that each stop appears as a surprise, absolutely unexpected. Here, shortly after the entrance, is the imposing Pinocchio and the Fairy, the 5-meter-high bronze sculpture by Emilio Greco, which summarizes the puppet’s journey and his metamorphosis into a human being thanks to the fairy’s auspices. Or, crouched among the dense foliage, an eloquent 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 at Parco Collodi is not everything; cultural and playful activities are held here, always new and for most of the year. The animators of the Nasolungo group offer educational workshops differentiated by age, with painting and decoration ateliers; stories and mini magic shows in the Fairy Wagon; storytellers and puppet shows; costume photos in Pinocchio’s Atelier and much more. Under the holm oaks, in the areas designated for relaxation, there are also beautiful vintage rides, perfectly restored thanks to the work of skilled craftsmen. And in the Workshop of Words and Figures, you can immerse yourself in art exhibitions about Pinocchio and in countless games, sounds, and fantasies inspired by the friendly puppet. If after so much playing, appetite strikes, you just have to sit down at the Osteria del Gambero Rosso, whose claws, represented by the red arches of the restaurant, are the work of Giovanni Michelucci.