In the natural setting of Valeggio sul Mincio, a location nestled in the hinterland of Lago di Garda, a neologism has been introduced to more precisely define complex plant architectures. Giuseppe Inga Sigurtà, owner of the renowned Parco Giardino Sigurtà, coined the term “polirinto” to identify the attraction inaugurated in 2011 within the estate. The need for this new linguistic definition arises from the specific characteristics of the green pathway, which distinguishes itself from traditional mazes through the presence of forks and multiple solutions, offering visitors a continuous discovery experience among the hedges. A New Definition at the Intersection of Linguistics and Green Architecture The idea of introducing the word polirinto stems from a lexical gap present in the Italian language. While English clearly distinguishes between labyrinth (a single-path layout that inexorably leads to the center without deviations) and maze (an intricate network characterized by forks, dead ends, and alternative paths), Italian lacks a specific term to differentiate between the two types. Giuseppe Inga Sigurtà decided to resolve this ambiguity by using the prefix poli, derived from the Greek polýs (many), to emphasize the multi-path nature of the botanical work present in the park. The term aims to describe a place that features multiple pathways and multiple solutions, where visitors have greater chances of both getting lost and finding their way to the exit. The stated goal is for the word to enter common usage and receive official recognition from the Accademia della Crusca, thereby filling the semantic void for this category of garden architecture. In this regard, Sigurtà stated: “Polirinto is born here, among the paths of my Labyrinth at Parco Giardino Sigurtà, where every step becomes a discovery.” Characteristics and History of the Structure The attraction, which spans a rectangular area of 2,500 square meters, hosts approximately 1,500 yew trees (Taxus baccata). The structure was designed by Giuseppe Sigurtà himself in collaboration with Adrian Fisher, a renowned international maze designer, and is considered one of the top three in the world in its category. The project underwent a lengthy realization process: the area, previously used as a parking lot until 2000, underwent a twenty-year redevelopment, including two years of design and six years of actual construction, with plants imported from a Dutch nursery. The polirinto is inspired by the fresco by Lorenzo Leombruno located at the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua. At the center of the composition stands a tower equipped with two opposing staircases, an element that adds three-dimensionality to the work. From the top of the tower and the hedges, which exceed two meters in height, it is possible to glimpse other points of interest in the garden, such as the Great Centenary Oak and the Avenue of Roses. The pathway features four emergency exits and, in 2011, received the award for “Best New Attraction of the Year” from Parksmania.it. Future Projects and Developments The evolution of the area does not stop with its current configuration. Future development plans include the integration of new structures connected to the central tower. A subterranean tunnel is planned to lead to a museum dedicated to fossils; the exhibition space will house the collection of Professor Enzo Inga Sigurtà, the father of the current owner, featuring artifacts dating back 20,000 years. To further enrich the visitor experience, two decorative fountains equipped with waterfalls will be installed. Italian Version
Valeggio sul Mincio: the term “Polirinto” is born to define the labyrinth of the Sigurtà Garden Park
