About I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)
At a glance: Parks and gardens in Banpotoc, Hunedoara County. Opening hours: daily 09:00 – 19:00. Ticket: 25 lei. The visit takes 1 – 1½ hours. Information verified on 9 October 2026.
I Giardini di Zoe is the labour of love of Giovanni Salvatelli, an Italian from the Ancona area, in the Marche region. Work began in 2003, to his own plans and without specialist help, in a village in the Mureș valley. The garden is named after his granddaughter, Zoe; later, for his grandson Achille, a new part was added, with a hornbeam maze and a garden of herbs and flowers. Since 2018 the garden has been open to visitors and it quickly became known, because it recalls the gardens of Tuscany in a place where you do not expect them.
According to its managers, the finished part covers 3.5 hectares and keeps growing. The idea is to pair the plants with decorative objects brought from Italy: vases, columns and fountains of travertine and of peperino (a volcanic stone), plus cast-iron pieces bought from antique dealers and restored.
What you can see
The visit is a walk along paths paved with travertine, between hedges and shrubs clipped into regular shapes, with steps, terraces and fountains. Around the garden there are statues, vases and stone columns, and from the slopes you can see the surrounding hills over the parterre. In spring tulips, hyacinths and ornamental trees bloom, in summer the roses; in autumn the garden turns to warm colours.
Good to know
The entrance is between Banpotoc and Chimindia, outside the centre of the village. Organised photo shoots, filming and planned marriage proposals need the management's approval, an appointment and a separate fee. The press gives different areas (from 3.5 to 5 hectares); here I kept the figure from the official website.
- The paths paved with travertine, between geometrically clipped hedges.
- The fountains, vases and columns of travertine and peperino brought from Italy.
- The hornbeam maze and the herb and flower garden made for his grandson Achille.
- The ornamental trees and tulips in April, when the garden is most colourful.
- The view over the parterre and the surrounding hills, from the slopes of the garden.
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
By car: Banpotoc is in Hărău commune, in the Mureș valley, ~15 km from Deva, ~35 km from Orăștie and ~130 km from Sibiu. The entrance to the garden is between Banpotoc and Chimindia; the simplest thing is to enter “I Giardini di Zoe” in your GPS. The last stretch is on a local road.
Public transport: I found no direct connection. From Deva or Hărău people usually come by car or taxi; check the local options before you set off.
- Where to park
Parking is free, next to the entrance, on the access road; from what I found, no parking ticket is needed.
- Fees & discounts
Standard (adult) ticket: 25 lei. Children aged 3 to 12 and adults over 65: 20 lei. Children under 3 enter free. Tickets can also be bought online, on the official website. The ticket covers the visit and personal photos; photo shoots, filming and events have a dedicated fee.
- Rules
Pets are not allowed. Organised photo shoots, filming, planned marriage proposals and other special activities need the management's approval, an appointment and a separate fee. Do not pick the plants and do not walk on the beds and hedges.
- Facilities
paved paths · benches and rest areas · no restaurant or terrace · free car park
Frequently asked questions about I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)
- How much is a ticket to I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)?
- A ticket to I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) costs 25 lei (children 3–12 and seniors 20 lei). Standard (adult) ticket: 25 lei. Children aged 3 to 12 and adults over 65: 20 lei. Children under 3 enter free. Tickets can also be bought online, on the official website. The ticket covers the visit and personal photos; photo shoots, filming and events have a dedicated fee.
- What are the opening hours of I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)?
- Opening hours at I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens): daily 09:00 – 19:00. Daily, 9:00–19:00, with last entry at 18:00 (official website, October 2026). The press in 2024–2025 gave 9:00–18:00; check the hours before you go, especially in winter, when I found no off-season schedule.
- How long does a visit to I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) take?
- A visit to I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) takes about 1 – 1½ hours (an estimate; some stay 2–3 hours).
- Can you visit I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) with kids?
- Yes, I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) is suitable for children (hornbeam maze).
- Where can I park at I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)?
- There is free parking at I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) (on the access road). Parking is free, next to the entrance, on the access road; from what I found, no parking ticket is needed.
- How do I get to I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)?
- I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens) is located at între Banpotoc și Chimindia, comuna Hărău, Banpotoc, Hunedoara County. By car: Banpotoc is in Hărău commune, in the Mureș valley, ~15 km from Deva, ~35 km from Orăștie and ~130 km from Sibiu. The entrance to the garden is between Banpotoc and Chimindia; the simplest thing is to enter “I Giardini di Zoe” in your GPS. The last stretch is on a local road. Public transport: I found no direct connection. From Deva or Hărău people usually come by car or taxi; check the local options before you set off.
- When is the best time to visit I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens)?
- The best season for I Giardini di Zoe (Zoe's Gardens): April – October (tulips April, roses summer).
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