Giardino Esotico Pallanca

The Pallanca Exotic Garden occupies terraced rocky ground above the sea in Bordighera. Built by the Pallanca family over generations, it is devoted to cacti and succulent plants and has been open to the public since 1989.

Why it matters

The garden extends Bordighera’s botanical tradition of acclimatising plants from distant climates. The collection spans more than 3,000 species from several continents and is regarded as one of Europe’s significant collections of cacti and succulents. The Pallanca family continues to care for the garden through its botanical cultural association.

What to notice

The collection includes a Chilean Copiapoa estimated at around three centuries old and a Neobuxbaumia polylopha reported at roughly six metres tall. Agaves, aloes, barrel cacti, columnar cacti and other succulents occupy the garden’s rocky terraces. Ochre-coloured stone paths and shaded areas are integrated into the terraced landscape, with views toward the sea.

Context and history

The family’s botanical work is associated with Bordighera landscape designer Ludwig Winter. In 1910 Bartolomeo Pallanca established a family garden of ornamental plants and flowers. After the First World War, Bartolomeo and his son Giacomo developed its focus on succulents. The garden opened to the public in 1989 and remains in family hands. The Pallanca family also contributed to the design of Montjuïc Park in Barcelona and the gardens of Castel Trauttmansdorff in Merano.