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History and Mission

A NOBLE PARK FOR THE CITY OF ARCO

The Archducal Park is a historic arboretum open to the public, paradigmatic of the history, climate, and natural vocation of the City of Arco.

Around the world in 2 hectares

You are entering an Arboretum, a special place where trees are in the spotlight. The Arco Arboretum is a section of the park that once surrounded the residence of Archduke Albert of Habsburg, built in 1872, during the period when Arco became a winter retreat for the Austrian nobility.

As you explore the Arboretum, you will encounter trees and shrubs from the Mediterranean, North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Canary Islands. They are evergreen plants, typical of warm climates, with showy and fragrant blooms. The Arboretum still preserves some specimens planted during the Archduke’s time, such as the majestic holm oaks and large conifers, including Lawson's cypress and the massive evergreen sequoia.

While visiting the park, please keep your voice down to respect both the wildlife and other visitors. Take care of the trees during your activities. Thank you for helping protect this corner of nature.

HISTORY

The Kurort and the Nineteenth Century

In the second half of the 1800s, the town of Arco underwent a remarkable transformation — from a quiet agricultural borough into a renowned winter tourist destination (Winterkurort). Thanks to its favourable climate, influenced by the nearby Lake Garda, Arco began to attract visitors seeking mild winters and natural beauty. To welcome these guests and enhance their stay, lush evergreen gardens were designed and cultivated throughout the town. These green spaces, vibrant even in the colder months, played a key role in shaping Arco’s new identity. The area’s gentle winter temperatures allowed for the outdoor growth of Mediterranean and subtropical plants, many of which would flower or bear fruit even during the cold season — creating a true “winter garden.”

The Archduke Albrecht,
Duke of Teschen

This tourist development is driven by Archduke Albrecht, Duke of Teschen, a retired general of the Austrian army, that establishes here its country retreat: a large villa on the hillside west of the town walls in 1872. The Archduke creates around its villa a magnificent garden, full of plants originating from the Mediterranean, the Tropics and North America.

Where for centuries local people tended orchards and olive groves, he planted redwoods, cedars, cypresses, citrus fruits, camellias, palms, trying to harden off rare and tender plants from tropical climates

His presence attracts noble families, rich people, ladies and gentlemen from central Europe, contributing to the social and economic development of the area. Archduke Albrecht dies in Arco on the 18th of February 1895 aged 77, bequeathing to the town an exceptional green legacy.

The Redevelopment as Arboretum

After the First World War, all Austrian possessions — including the villa and park in Arco — were confiscated by the Italian government and subsequently sold. The upper part of the park remained closed and abandoned for many years. In 1964, the local tourist office appointed Walter Larcher, professor of Botany at the University of Innsbruck, to redevelop the park as an Arboretum.

The Austrian botanist designed and guided the implementation of a new layout, enriching the space with Mediterranean and subtropical plants, arranged in miniature landscapes that stayed true to the park's original spirit. In 1992, the Arboretum became a satellite garden of the Trento Science Museum (MUSE) and was included in the global botanic garden network (BGCI). Today, MUSE botanists continue to curate the Arboretum — overwintering new tropical species, promoting plant acclimatisation as envisioned by Archduke Albrecht, and enhancing the plant collections while updating interpretive tools for visitors. The museum’s educators also involve students and teachers in educational programmes across local and European contexts, often within multi-partner EU projects.

Meanwhile, the town council and local government oversee daily maintenance and support a regular calendar of cultural events, keeping the Arboretum alive and thriving for future generations.

Progetto Larcher

HISTORICAL INSIGHTS

The Archduke’s Villa

The residence of Archduke Albert of Habsburg was built in 1872 on land inherited from the Counts of Arco and purchased by the Institute of Providence. The estate already featured a tower, a farmhouse, and several greenhouses commissioned by the Counts. The villa was designed by engineer Stefenelli and built under the supervision of Tyrolean builder Rauzi, using stone sourced from the nearby Fontanelle quarry. After the First World War, ownership passed to the Italian State and was later sold to private individuals.

The Archducal Park:
a site for plant acclimatization

In the 19th century, many new plant species arrived in Europe for the first time from distant regions, thanks to plant hunters and botanical explorers. This period marked the beginning of experiments in cultivation, with a focus on both edible uses and ornamental value. Young specimens were first acclimatized in cold greenhouses before being planted outdoors to assess their resilience to harsher climates.