Museo Novecento x Haley Mellin marks the birth of the Giardino delle Leopoldine, a groundbreaking project merging contemporary art with ecological awareness. Created by the Museo Novecento in collaboration with artist and environmental activist Haley Mellin, the garden will officially open on 24 June in a Renaissance cloister— the first of its kind in a museum setting.

This initiative aligns with Florence’s broader green vision. As Deputy Mayor Paola Galgani and Cultural Councillor Giovanni Bettarini stated, the garden brings nature back into the historic heart of the city, embodying the municipality’s Green Plan and fusing sustainability with art.

Developed with Re:wild—a global conservation non-profit co-founded by biologist Wes Sechrest and actor Leonardo DiCaprio—the garden is a call to rewild the museum. For museum director Sergio Risaliti, it offers a space for contemplation and connection, raising awareness about climate change and the environmental impact of cultural institutions.

Green architecture becomes a language for learning and beauty. As Abbot Bernardo Gianni poetically said, “Everything begins and ends in a garden.”