Hortus Conclusus di Mimmo Paladino

The Hortus Conclusus in Benevento is a garden installation by Mimmo Paladino, created in 1992 with architects Roberto Serino and Pasquale Palmieri.

Why it matters

The work transforms a former convent garden into a unified contemporary artwork. Paladino's sculpture and architectural elements introduce a modern layer into a city whose identity is strongly shaped by Roman and Lombard history.

What to notice

A bronze horse with a golden mask rises above the garden wall. Within the enclosure, sculpted heads, discs, shells, animal forms and water features create a setting that draws on archaic and Mediterranean imagery. A red architectural wall designed by Serino and Palmieri is integrated into the composition.

Context and history

Paladino, a leading artist of the Transavanguardia, was born in Paduli near Benevento. The garden was conceived for the former San Domenico convent, which later served civic and university purposes. The initial proposal for a bronze horse evolved into a larger environment, completed in 1992 with contributions from architects Serino and Palmieri.