A historic house that becomes accessible and inclusive, a transformation that allows everyone to discover an asset using their five senses. Sunday 2 June will sees the inauguration of the path of inclusion and accessibility of Casa Lajolo, an 18th-century historic house in Piossasco which is 40 minutes from Turin in the Piemonte region. The project is part of the Musei accessibili 2021 (Accessible Museums 2021) project of the Piedmont Region, and of the project for historic parks and gardens of the Ministry of Culture, financed by the European Union through Next Generation EU funds.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony is on 2 June
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, with a day dedicated to the five senses, will symbolically take place at 11.00 on Sunday 2 June. Historical residences are often seen and experienced as inaccessible places. "Our idea, on the other hand, is to open them up, allowing everyone, including those with disabilities, to enjoy a complete visiting experience," says Alberto De Vecchi Lajolo, owner of the mansion and president of the Casa Lajolo Foundation, which has been set up to conserve and enhance the historical asset.
Solutions for visitors with disabilities
Solutions have been adopted to ensure an adequate visiting experience for visitors with motor disabilities. There is an elevator for wheelchair entry and platforms have been installed providing access to the historic building and the toilets, while roll-out walkways are available to facilitate wheelchair passage through the green areas. Information and illustrated panels in the gardens and inside the historic house have Braille relief printing for the visually impaired. Digital QR codes have also been placed on the panels, allowing users to download an audio guide for an independent visit and to access the videos in the Italian sign language. In collaboration with the Paideia Foundation, communicative supports in CAA (alternative augmentative communication) symbols have created to identify the areas and highlight the most important elements of the garden and vegetable garden itinerary, making it accessible also to visitors with communication difficulties.
"With eyes closed in the garden": sensorial visits to Casa Lajolo
Anyone at Casa Lajolo can take part in the walks organized in collaboration with The Unione Italiana Ciechi e Ipovedenti (Italian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired). These last an hour and a half and are designed to allow visitors to discover and experience the garden and its green spaces “with other eyes.” An experienced professional leads the sensory tour and anyone can do the tour blindfolded to grasp more intensely the sensations and the wonder of their inner resonances.
QR codes and English and French translations
All content on the QR codes is also translated into French and English and a 360-degree virtual tour of the garden and the historic residence is available at https://www.casalajolo.it/tour-virtuale. Guided tours of the house, garden and vegetable garden with guide for €8 Up to 25 years, Friends of Castelli Aperti, Piemonte Card: 6 euros and Fai members and children are free. For information groups interested in discovering the house or garden can write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 333 3270586.
