Two unmissable events await enthusiasts, professionals, and curious visitors at the Centro Mati 1909 in Pistoia, which in autumn 2025 will once again be the beating heart of green culture and innovation.
ORCHidea 2025 – The magic of rare plants
📅 October 11 and 12, 2025
📍 Centro Mati 1909 – Via Bonellina 46, Pistoia
After the success of the 2024 edition, which attracted over 4,000 visitors, ORCHidea returns with two days dedicated to lovers of rare plants. The Mati complex will be transformed into an authentic botanical paradise, where you can admire and purchase orchids and unusual species from the best Italian exhibitors.
There will also be courses and workshops (link above) designed for those who want to deepen their knowledge and discover the secrets of cultivation. There will also be space for creative crafts and the region’s agricultural and food excellence, for a complete experience that combines nature, taste, and culture.
Admission is free, as is access for your four-legged friends, with ample parking at the Toscana Fair area. The organizers invite you to share your photos on social media with the hashtag #ORCHidea2025.
International Conference – Therapeutic Greenery
📅 November 28 and 29, 2025
📍 Spazio Convegni Centro Mati 1909 – Via Bonellina 46, Pistoia
Following this, the Mati Center will host an international event that combines science, medicine, and design: the Conference “Therapeutic Greenery.” Doctors, architects, researchers, and industry professionals will discuss the latest evidence regarding the role of nature as integrative therapy for human and planetary health.
The packed, multidisciplinary program will touch on highly topical issues: from architecture at the service of well-being to urban forests as a response to the climate crisis, to therapeutic gardens designed for those living with Alzheimer’s and autism. There will also be space for dialogue between art, music, and nature, with a special contribution from Maestro Giuseppe Vessicchio.
The second day will focus on scientific research: forest therapy in oncology, preventive nutrition, and outdoor education will be at the center of the proceedings, alongside models of social inclusion through green spaces.
Participation is free but limited, with reservations required by email (lucia@giardineriaitaliana.it) or phone (335 1987675).
An autumn to enjoy in Pistoia
From a passion for rare plants to scientific research on greenery as a tool for healing: Pistoia is preparing for two events that celebrate the deep connection between nature and well-being. ORCHidea 2025 will inspire plant lovers, while the International Conference on Therapeutic Greenery will offer professionals and scholars a unique platform for dialogue on the national scene.
Two different events, but united by a common message: nature is not only beauty, it is knowledge, healing, and the future.
And to add goodness to the experience: Toscana Fair – Restaurant with a vegetable garden, awaits you with its fantastic dishes, all to be tasted!
