The EUI welcomed President Mattarella at Palazzo Buontalenti, home to the Florence School of Transnational Governance (STG), where the Institute trains future leaders. The visit marked a significant moment in the EUI’s anniversary year, celebrating five decades of academic excellence and research for Europe.
This is President Mattarella’s second visit to the EUI, following his visit in 2018, and his first time in Palazzo Buontalenti, which has hosted the STG since 2021.
Welcoming Sergio Mattarella, EUI President Patrizia Nanz highlighted the importance of the occasion and the longstanding relationship between Italy and the Institute:
“We are honoured to welcome President Mattarella to the European University Institute on the occasion of our 50th anniversary. His visit reflects the deep bond between Italy and the EUI and represents an important recognition of the Institute’s role in educating future European generations. We are profoundly grateful to Italy for the constant support it has provided to the EUI since its foundation.”
During the visit, President Mattarella toured Palazzo Buontalenti, a historic state-owned property entrusted to the Institute by the Italian State Property Agency Demanio. The restoration and continued redevelopment of the Palazzo reaffirm its role as a place dedicated to knowledge, education, and student life, while strengthening the EUI’s connection with the city of Florence and the wider local community. The Institute’s engagement with schools and citizens has also been further supported through the contribution of Fondazione CR Firenze.
The visit also coincided with the opening of new exhibition spaces within Palazzo Buontalenti. The exhibition OPEN, hosted in a newly accessible wing of the former Medici Casino, brings together works by six contemporary artists exploring the relationship between art and science. The exhibition will run until 12 October 2026.
The EUI’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue with the EUIdeas research festival on the theme of the power of knowledge and concludes on Europe Day, 9 May, with the Open Day of the Historical Archives of the European Union at Villa Salviati.