Prezzemolo: The Mascot of Gardaland

Prezzemolo is the long-eared green dragon who has been the official face and symbol of Gardaland since the park opened in 1975. Across more than fifty years of history, he has captured the hearts of generations, becoming one of the most beloved theme park mascots in Italy.

His home is Prezzemolo's Tree, a giant fairytale structure at the center of Fantasy Kingdom. From there, he brings energy to the park every day through live shows, character meet and greets, and colorful parades.

From Medieval Dragon to Beloved Mascot: The Redesign Story

When Gardaland first opened, Prezzemolo looked quite different from the friendly character visitors know today. He was originally designed as a classic, somewhat intimidating dragon associated with the medieval castle at the main entrance. As the park's audience grew to focus more on young families, Gardaland decided to update his image.

In 1993, the park held a national competition to redesign the mascot. The winning entry came from Lorenzo De Pretto, a young comic artist from the Veneto region. He transformed Prezzemolo into the cheerful, rounded, and welcoming character we see today. De Pretto became the official artist for the modern Prezzemolo, guiding all graphic projects from merchandise and comic books to the animated television series.

The Character of Prezzemolo

Prezzemolo is a young dragon with an boundless enthusiasm for life. He is upbeat, imaginative, energetic, and full of optimism. He lives alongside his friends in a whimsical treehouse with an open door policy for every guest.

Friendship comes first for Prezzemolo. He is always ready to help anyone in need, showing endless patience, hospitality, and protective care. He also loves strawberries. Legend has it that eating plenty of strawberries gives him extra courage and strength.

Prezzemolo's Crew of Friends

Over the years, a rich cast of supporting characters was created to join Prezzemolo in comics, television shows, and park events.

• Princess Aurora: An aspiring sorceress who is intelligent and sweet, though prone to sudden mood changes. She spends her time surrounded by ancient trunks, potions, and spellbooks. In the animated series, she is the exiled princess of the realm of Lomur trying to reclaim her home with Prezzemolo's help.
• Mously: A loyal bat who serves as Prezzemolo's trusted best friend on every adventure.
• Pagui: A gentle, soft-hearted seagull who acts as the peaceful voice of reason within the group.
• Bambù: A panda scientist and the resident genius of the team. While brilliant, his wild inventions in the Gardaland laboratory often lead to unexpected accidents.
• Mr. T-Gey: A sneaky tiger who acts as the main rival. Self-centered and ambitious, he serves as the mayor of the fictional town of Tanaboo in the television series. In the original comics, T-Gey constantly tries to steal Prezzemolo's handkerchief, which holds a secret map to an oil field.
• Prezzemolino: Prezzemolo's toddler nephew. He looks just like his uncle, wears a diaper, and cannot speak yet. His ability to cause innocent chaos is directly proportional to his tiny size.

The Comic Book Era: 1995 to 2006

In April 1995, Prezzemolo launched his own official comic book series written and drawn by Lorenzo De Pretto. The first six issues were given away for free inside the park to fan club members. By May 1996, the comic expanded into a monthly national magazine sold at newsstands across Italy.

The magazine was published during the main park operating season, reaching an annual print run of around 35,000 copies. Early storylines took place inside Gardaland itself, following Prezzemolo and his friends on fun park-centric quests. In 2004, the setting shifted to the fictional town of Tanaboo to align with the animated TV series.

Publication came to an end in 2006 after Merlin Entertainments acquired Gardaland. In 2020, Gardaland released digital editions of select vintage issues on its official website for fans to read for free.

The Animated TV Series on Italia 1

From September 2002 to March 2003, a 26-episode animated series starring Prezzemolo aired across Italy on the Italia 1 network. The show was produced by Rainbow, the animation studio that later created the global hit Winx Club.

The show follows Prezzemolo and his friends on an epic quest across the kingdom of Lomur to find four magic gems and stop the evil witch Zenda. The series aired again in 2005, and in 2020 Gardaland uploaded 24 full episodes to its official YouTube channel for free streaming.

Prezzemolo Today: 50 Years of Park Magic

Gardaland celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, placing Prezzemolo at the very heart of the celebrations. The iconic dragon appeared in a special golden anniversary edition, with his silhouette integrated into the official 50th anniversary logo. He also starred in a new 4D Cinema feature and led the daily welcome show at the main gates.

Visitors can meet Prezzemolo in the park every day. Guests can take photos with him in Fantasy Kingdom or wave to him during the afternoon parade. Meeting Prezzemolo remains a must-do highlight for young children, as well as for adults who grew up reading his comics in the nineties.