An extraordinary place of history and culture, a testimony to transformation, openness and integration, the Parco di San Giovanni was established in 1908 as the site of the Civic Hospital, in 1924 it became the Provincial Psychiatric Hospital, and from 1971 to 1978 it was the propulsive centre of the revolutionary reform desired by Franco Basaglia, culminating in the approval of Law 180.

After years of neglect, today the park houses the headquarters of several departments and offices of the University of Trieste, public bodies, health facilities and services, social cooperatives and associations, a 270-seat theatre also equipped for outdoor performances, science museums, spaces dedicated to games and sports activities, rose gardens, century-old trees, civic gardens and gardens. The park is always open and can be visited by all citizens.

A lively microcosm resulting from the synergic collaboration between the University of Trieste, ASUGI - Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, ERPAC - Ente Regionale Patrimonio Culturale and the Municipality of Trieste. Institutions that in the past have redesigned the Park and restored its buildings, and that still today are committed to maintaining the common green areas, promoting cultural initiatives that encourage citizen participation, disseminating and sharing knowledge, including the most fragile people and protecting the environmental and architectural heritage.
The Park's philosophy is rooted in the concepts of sustainability, social commitment, conviviality and mutual support.

The University of Trieste has been involved in the planning and implementation of the cultural event Rose libri musica vino, promoted and organised by the social cooperative Agricola Monte San Pantaleone since 2011. 
The event is held every year on Fridays in May and involves dozens of lecturers, researchers and researchers in the realisation of meetings with personalities from the world of culture and walks to discover botanical and ornithological species, artistic-architectural peculiarities and the history of psychiatry.

The collaboration between the University of Trieste and Lister Sartoria Sociale is also realised in San Giovanni Park. A synergy in the name of creativity and environmental sustainability, through which the PVC banners used to advertise events organised by the University are transformed into bags, backpacks, cases and other accessories with the logo of the University and Social Tailoring. The proceeds from their sale are reinvested in the cooperative to ensure the continuity of production and the employment of staff. The University also collects advertising posters from the municipality and other research organisations and delivers them to the tailoring shop for new creations, triggering a virtuous recycling process and reducing PVC disposal costs.