History

Once upon a time there was a garbage dump bordered on one side by the ancient stone walls of Cernobbio’s Villa D’Este and on the other by the Garrovo stream, which runs from Monte Bisbino all the way down to Lake Como. Walking past the dump during her daily stroll, Mrs. Pupa Frati became convinced that it was not only possible, but also necessary to reclaim this land and return it to its original, natural beauty.

Grandma Pupa approached the municipality (Comune) and asked if she could undertake to clean up the dump: “Originally it was a place that was forgotten, overgrown and completely covered by garbage and debris. Everyone knew about it, but no one thought to do anything about it." With her own hands and without any outside financial or organizational help – Pupa, with the participation of some friends (and her grandchildren) began to systematically clean up the garbage and reclaim the land. Today, roughly 20 years later, the public garden known as GDV is a tribute not only to Pupa’s determination, vision and persistence, but is also a small piece of Paradise in the heart of Cernbbio.