Foundation

The work of Fondazione Benetton began in 1987 in Treviso, when Luciano Benetton surrounded himself with a group of intellectuals with the intent of setting up a cultural institution. From the very beginning the Foundation was entrusted to architect Domenico Luciani who, together with architect Tobia Scarpa and historian Gaetano Cozzi (1922-2001), gave life to an institution that placed studies and research on territory and landscape at the centre of its scientific objectives: history, geography, natural and cultural heritage, and the behaviour of the people who have inhabited it throughout the centuries.

A working group was formed in the first headquarters of Piazza Crispi in Treviso: the group grew over the years along with an extensive documentation centre, comprising a library, an archive, a map library, and an organised deposit available for consultation with various materials, such as books, magazines and cartographies.

In 2003, the new prestigious headquarters in Via Cornarotta were opened, located in Palazzo Bomben and Palazzo Caotorta. The buildings were restored as part of a major architectural project directed by architect Tobia Scarpa, who renovated two structures heavily damaged by bombings during World War II.

Today, Fondazione Benetton Studi Ricerche is an international centre for landscape studies and research, with a focus on education and popularisation, documentation and publishing. It also promotes activities and research in the fields of the history of games, music and historical heritage. Its library and garden are open to the public.

The Foundation is chaired by Luciano Benetton and directed by Luigi Latini. It carries out its cultural work across three locations in the historic city centre, all restored by architect Tobia Scarpa: Palazzo Bomben and Palazzo Caotorta, the Church of San Teonisto and Ca’ Scarpa, as well as Casa Cozzi, a farmhouse nestled in the countryside of Zero Branco (Treviso).
The Foundation’s work relies on an international scientific committee and numerous contributions from scholarship holders, external researchers, as well as several collaborations with Italian and foreign universities and cultural institutions.